Swingable apparatus attachable to a vehicle for transporting a device and permitting access to the vehicle

ABSTRACT

One aspect of the invention is an apparatus that is selectively attachable to a vehicle, for transporting a device and positioning the device in an orientation that permits access to the vehicle. The apparatus may include a support arm defining a support arm longitudinal axis, wherein the support arm has a hitch collar hole. The apparatus may also include a primary swing arm defining a primary swing arm longitudinal axis. The apparatus may further include a primary hinge assembly coupled to the support arm and the primary swing arm.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 10/261,800, filed Sep. 30, 2002 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,701,913,titled “Swingable apparatus attachable to a vehicle for transporting acooking device and permitting access to the vehicle”, which isincorporated herein by this reference.

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

The present invention relates to apparatuses for attaching a device to avehicle. More particularly, the invention concerns an apparatus that isselectively attachable to a vehicle, for transporting a device (forexample a cooking device), and positioning the device in an orientationthat permits access to the vehicle (for example, while cooking).

2. Description of Related Art

Outdoor leisure and recreational activities such as camping, fishing,picnicking at the beach or a park, cookouts, road trips, and tailgateparties at sporting events have become increasingly popular. Often,people are transported to these types of outdoor activities in a vehiclesuch as a truck, pickup truck, sport utility vehicle, or recreationalvehicle. Frequently, people partaking in these mobile outdoor activitiesdesire a freshly cooked hot meal.

One way of cooking a hot meal is to build a campfire and cook the mealover the fire. However, building a campfire can require a lot of effort,and creates a risk of fires. Also, campfires are not permitted in manyareas. Hot meals can also be cooked on a public barbeque at a campgroundor picnic area. However, public barbeques are frequently dirty, are in astate of disrepair, or are not available.

Another way of cooking a hot meal is to bring a barbeque in the vehicle,set it up at the camping, picnicking, or tailgating site, and cook themeal on the barbeque. However, transporting the barbeque in the vehicleuses valuable space inside the vehicle, and further, the barbeque cannotbe put back into the vehicle until it cools down after cooking.

Another approach has been to permanently attach a barbeque to theexterior of a vehicle. However, it is often undesirable to always have abarbeque attached to the exterior of the vehicle. For example, there isa risk of theft, the barbeque is exposed to the elements for a longperiod of time, and parking can be problematic.

Yet another approach is to attach a barbeque to a trailer hitch on therear of the vehicle. Although this has the advantage of permittingremoval of the barbeque from the vehicle, this approach has thedisadvantage of blocking access to the rear doors or hatch of thevehicle when the barbeque is attached. In summary, all of the known waysof cooking a hot meal when partaking in mobile outdoor activities haveproven inadequate.

Additionally, known ways of transporting items other than cookingdevices also often block access to the rear doors or hatch of thevehicle. Furthermore, known apparatuses that attach to the rear of avehicle for transporting items, often do not permit simultaneous use ofa trailer ball hitch, thereby preventing the user from towing an object,such as a boat or trailer, while using the apparatus.

SUMMARY

An example of one aspect of the invention is an apparatus that isselectively attachable to a vehicle, for transporting a device andpositioning the device in an orientation that permits access to thevehicle. The apparatus may include a support arm defining a support armlongitudinal axis, wherein the support arm has a hitch collar hole. Theapparatus may also include a primary swing arm defining a primary swingarm longitudinal axis. The apparatus may further include a primary hingeassembly coupled to the support arm and the primary swing arm. Thisexample and other examples of the invention are described in thesections below.

Examples of the invention may provide one or more of the followingadvantages. Some examples of the apparatus of the invention permitswinging a device (such as a cooking device, bicycle, skis, luggage,wheelchair, container, or tank) further behind the vehicle, or to theside of the vehicle, to permit complete accessibility to the vehiclecargo bay via the rear door(s) or the rear hatch of the vehicle, whenloading or unloading the vehicle. Additionally, some examples of theapparatus can easily be attached and unattached from the vehicle. Also,some examples of the apparatus permit easily adjusting the distance ofportions of the apparatus from the vehicle. Further, some examples ofthe apparatus permit utilizing a trailer ball hitch while using theapparatus. The invention also provides a number of other advantages andbenefits, which should be apparent from the following description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an example of an apparatus in accordancewith an illustrative embodiment of the invention, in its operativeenvironment.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an example of an apparatus in accordancewith an illustrative embodiment of the invention, in its operativeenvironment.

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of an example of an apparatus inaccordance with an illustrative embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an example of an apparatus in accordancewith an illustrative embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of another example of an apparatus inaccordance with an illustrative embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of another example of an apparatus inaccordance with an illustrative embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of another example of an apparatus inaccordance with an illustrative embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of another example of an apparatus inaccordance with an illustrative embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of another example of an apparatus inaccordance with an illustrative embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of another example of an apparatus inaccordance with an illustrative embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of another example of an apparatus inaccordance with an illustrative embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 12 is a partially exploded perspective view of another example ofan apparatus in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of theinvention.

FIG. 13 is a partially exploded perspective view of another example ofan apparatus in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of theinvention.

FIG. 14 is a partially exploded perspective view of another example ofan apparatus in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of theinvention.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart of an operational sequence for using an apparatusin accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 16 is a partially exploded perspective view of an example of anapparatus in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of theinvention.

FIG. 17 is a partially exploded perspective view of an example of anapparatus in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of theinvention.

FIG. 18 is a partially exploded perspective view of an example of anapparatus in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of theinvention.

FIG. 19 is a perspective view of an example of an apparatus inaccordance with an illustrative embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 20 is a top view of an example of an apparatus in accordance withan illustrative embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 21 is a perspective view of an example of an apparatus inaccordance with an illustrative embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 22 is a front view of an example of an apparatus in accordance withan illustrative embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 23 is a side view of an example of an apparatus in accordance withan illustrative embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The nature, objectives, and advantages of the invention will become moreapparent to those skilled in the art after considering the followingdetailed description in connection with the accompanying drawings.Herein “attached” means directly or indirectly connected.

I. Hardware Components and Interconnections A. First Examples

One aspect of the invention is an apparatus that is selectivelyattachable to a vehicle, for transporting a cooking device, andpositioning the cooking device in an orientation for cooking thatpermits access to the vehicle. As an example the invention may beembodied by the apparatus 100 shown in its operative environment inFIG. 1. In FIG. 1 the apparatus 100 is attached to the trailer hitch 102of a vehicle 104, with the apparatus 100 oriented for transport, andwith the rear door and hatch of the vehicle 104 closed. The apparatus100 is also shown in its operative environment in FIG. 2, attached tothe trailer hitch 102 of the vehicle 104, with the apparatus 100oriented for cooking, and with the rear door and hatch of the vehicle104 open. As an example, the trailer hitch 102 is a standard tubulartrailer hitch 102, that typically has a hollow tube 106 that has arearward facing hollow tubular end 108 and a hole in a first side (notshown) of the trailer hitch hollow tube 106 and a hole 110 the secondside of the trailer hitch hollow tube 106 that is aligned with the firsthole in the trailer hitch hollow tube 106. A hitch locking pin 112 isused to secure the apparatus 100 to the trailer hitch 102. The vehicle104 may be any type of vehicle, for example a sport utility vehicle, arecreational vehicle, a pickup truck, a truck, a station wagon, or anyother suitable vehicle.

Referring to FIG. 3, the apparatus 100 includes a hitch insertion member302 that has a base 304, a hitch insertion member first side 306, and ahitch insertion member second side 308. The hitch insertion memberdefines a hitch insertion member longitudinal axis 310. Optionally, thehitch insertion member 302 could be shortened to position the remainderof the apparatus 100 closer to the vehicle 104. The hitch insertionmember first side 306 has a hole 312, and the hitch insertion membersecond side 308 has a hole 314 aligned with the hole 312 in the hitchinsertion member first side 306. As an example, the hitch insertionmember 302 may be sized and shaped to fit into the standard tubulartrailer hitch 102 (shown in FIGS. 1 and 2). The opening of the hollowtubular end 108 of the trailer hitch 102 typically is two inches by twoinches. This type of trailer hitch 102 is commonly provided in thestandard tow package on most pickups, sport utility vehicles, andrecreational vehicles. To secure the apparatus 100 to this type oftrailer hitch 102, the hitch insertion member 302 is inserted into therearward facing hollow tubular end 108 of the trailer hitch 102, and theholes 312, 314 in the first 306 and second 308 sides of the hitchinsertion member 302 are aligned with the hole in the first side and thehole in the second side 110 of the trailer hitch hollow tube 106, andthe hitch locking pin 112 is inserted through the holes 312, 314 in thefirst 306 and second 308 sides of the hitch insertion member 302 and thehole in the first side and the hole in the second side 110 of thetrailer hitch hollow tube 106, to secure the hitch insertion member 302to the trailer hitch 102. Alternatively, the hitch insertion member 302could be configured to attach to tubular trailer hitch openings thathave different sizes and shapes.

Alternatively, the hitch insertion member 302 may be configured for usewith different types of trailer hitches. An example of another type oftrailer hitch is a draw bar hitch (not shown) that has a horizontal barhaving an aperture, and a threaded bar attached to a hitch ball forinsertion into the aperture. For attachment to this type of hitch, thehitch insertion member may be configured to have a vertical hole (notshown) or vertical holes into which the threaded bar attached to thehitch ball may be inserted to secure the hitch insertion member to thehorizontal bar of the trailer hitch. Alternatively, a pin, rather thanthe threaded bar attached to a hitch ball, can be inserted into theaperture to secure the hitch insertion member to the trailer hitch.Alternatively, the hitch insertion member may be configured to have avertical hole or vertical holes into which the hitch ball may beinserted to secure the hitch insertion member to the trailer hitch.

In an alternative example the apparatus 100 could be adapted to beattached to the frame of a vehicle, rather than being attached to atrailer hitch 102. For example, the apparatus 100 could be permanentlyattached to the frame of a recreational vehicle. Likewise, in analternative example the apparatus 100 could be adapted to attach to abumper of a vehicle. In these alternative examples, a support arm 322could be adapted to be attached directly to the frame or bumper of thevehicle 104, without including a hitch insertion member 302 on theapparatus. Alternatively, instead of the hitch insertion member 302, oneor more attachment members (not shown) could be attached to the supportarm 322 for attachment to the vehicle frame or bumper. Alternatively,the apparatus 100 could be attached to a portion of the vehicle 104other than the frame or a bumper.

The apparatus 100 includes the support arm 322 that has a support armtop 324 and a support arm bottom 326, and a support arm first end 328and a support arm second end 330. The support arm 322 also defines asupport arm longitudinal axis 332. The support arm top 324 has a supportarm top primary hinge hole 334, and the support arm bottom 326 has asupport arm bottom primary hinge hole 336 that is aligned with thesupport arm top primary hinge hole 334. If the support arm 322 is solid,the support arm top primary hinge hole 334 and the support arm bottomprimary hinge hole 336 would be different ends of a single hole. Thesupport arm top 324 may also have a support arm primary angle securinghole 338. The support arm 322 is attached to the base 304 of the hitchinsertion member 302. As an example, the first end 328 of the supportarm 322 may be attached to the base 304 of the hitch insertion member302 with the support arm longitudinal axis 332 substantiallyperpendicular to the hitch insertion member longitudinal axis 310.However, this perpendicular arrangement is not required.

In one example the support arm top primary hinge hole 334 is locatedabout 2.7 centimeters from the support arm second end 330, and thesupport arm primary angle securing hole 338 is located about 5.8centimeters from the support arm top primary hinge hole 334. Typically,the support arm top primary hinge hole 334 will be located within aboutfive centimeters from the support arm second end 330, and the supportarm primary angle securing hole 338 will be located within about tencentimeters from the support arm top primary hinge hole 334. However,the support arm top primary hinge hole 334 can be located at otherdistances from the support arm second end 330, and the support armprimary angle securing hole 338 can be located at other distances fromthe support arm top primary hinge hole 334. Optionally, more than oneset of support arm top and bottom primary hinge holes and primary anglesecuring holes could be provided in the support arm 322, to permitselectively attaching a primary swing arm 340 to different locations onthe support arm 322.

The apparatus 100 includes the primary swing arm 340, which defines aprimary swing arm longitudinal axis 342, and which has a primary swingarm hinged end 344 and a primary swing arm swinging end 346. The primaryswing arm 340 is typically able to swing one hundred and eighty degrees.However, the apparatus 100 can be configured to permit larger or smallermaximum swing angles for the primary swing arm 340. The capability ofthe primary swing arm 340 to swing one hundred and eighty degrees is aconvenience and safety feature that allows the user to safely locate thecooking device 348 (which may be hot) in a safe location, and toposition it in a desirable orientation in relation to the wind. Thecooking device 348 defines a cooking device longitudinal axis 349.

This example of the apparatus 100 further includes a primary hingeassembly 350 for pivotally attaching the primary swing arm 340 to thesupport arm 322. However, any type of hinge, pivot, or other suitableapparatus for pivotally attaching the primary swing arm 340 to thesupport arm 322 could be used. The primary hinge assembly 350 has a tophinge plate 352 having a central hole 354 for alignment with the supportarm top primary hinge hole 334. The top hinge plate 352 may also have aplurality of locking holes 356 for selective alignment with the supportarm primary angle securing hole 338. The primary hinge assembly 350 alsohas a bottom hinge plate 358 having a central hole 360 for alignmentwith the support arm bottom primary hinge hole 336. The primary hingeassembly 350 may also have a stop wall 362 attached to the bottom hingeplate 358 to establish the maximum angle the primary swing armlongitudinal axis 342 can rotate in relation to the support armlongitudinal axis 332. The primary hinge assembly 350 also includes anattachment wall 364 connected to the top hinge plate 352 and the bottomhinge plate 358. The attachment wall 364 is attached to the primaryswing arm 340. As an example, the attachment wall 364 may be attached tothe hinged end 344 of the primary swing arm 340. However, the attachmentwall 364 could be attached to other locations on the primary swing arm340. The portion of the primary hinge assembly 350 that includes the tophinge plate 352, bottom hinge plate 358, stop wall 362, and attachmentwall 364, may be made from two or more separate pieces that are attachedtogether, or can be formed from a singe piece (for example a singlepiece of metal).

The primary hinge assembly 350 also includes a primary hinge bar 366inserted through the central hole 354 in the top hinge plate 352 in theprimary hinge assembly 350, the support arm top primary hinge hole 334,the support arm bottom primary hinge hole 336, and the central hole 360in the bottom hinge plate 358 of the primary hinge assembly 350, toattach the primary swing arm 340 to the support arm 322, and to permitthe primary swing arm 340 to rotate in relation to the support arm 322.The primary hinge assembly 350 may also have a primary angle locking bar368 inserted into one of the plurality of locking holes 356 in the tophinge plate 352 of the primary hinge assembly 350 and into the primaryangle securing hole 338 in the support arm 322, to lock the primaryswing arm longitudinal axis 342 at an angle in relation to the supportarm longitudinal axis 332 selected from a plurality of angles determinedby the locations of the locking holes 356 in the top hinge plate 352 ofthe primary hinge assembly 350 and by the location of the support armprimary angle securing hole 338. The primary angle locking bar 368 maybe in a self contained, spring loaded bar housing (not shown), whichcontains the bar to prevent the bar from being lost. The bar housing maybe tack welded to the top hinge plate 352. Alternatively, the primaryangle locking bar 368 is not in a bar housing. Optionally, the primaryangle locking bar 368 may be held in place with a clip or pin.

Optionally, the central hole 354 in the top hinge plate 352 of theprimary hinge assembly 350 is located in an overhang area 370 of the tophinge plate 352, and the plurality of locking holes 356 in the top hingeplate 352 of the primary hinge assembly 350 are also located in theoverhang area 370 of the top hinge plate 352. Also optionally, thecentral hole 360 in the bottom hinge plate 358 of the primary hingeassembly 350 is located in an overhang area 372 of the bottom hingeplate 358, and the stop wall 362 is partially contiguous with theoverhang area 372 and a nonoverhang area 374 of the bottom hinge plate358.

The apparatus 100 also includes a pedestal 376 that has a base 378. Thepedestal 376 defines a pedestal longitudinal axis 380. The base 378 ofthe pedestal 376 is attached to the primary swing arm 340. As anexample, the base 378 of the pedestal 376 may be attached to theswinging end 346 of the primary swing arm 340 with the pedestallongitudinal axis 380 substantially perpendicular to the primary swingarm longitudinal axis 342. However, this perpendicular arrangement isnot required. For example, in embodiments of the invention where theprimary swing arm 340 is not horizontal, the pedestal longitudinal axis380 is not perpendicular to the primary swing arm longitudinal axis 342.Also, the pedestal 376 could be attached to the primary swing arm 340 ata location other than the swinging end 346 of the primary swing arm 340.The pedestal 376 may have a rotation adjustment locking hole 382, whichmay be threaded. The apparatus 100 also includes a column 384, which isat least partially inserted into the pedestal 376. The column 384defines a column longitudinal axis 386. The apparatus 100 may alsoinclude a column rotation locking bar 388, which may be threaded, thatis secured through the rotation adjustment locking hole 382 to lock thecolumn 384 at a selected rotation within the pedestal 376, by tighteningthe column rotation locking bar 388 against the column 384. The columnrotation locking bar 388 could also be used to lock the column 384 at aselected height within the pedestal 376, by tightening the columnrotation locking bar 388 against the column 384. Alternatively, aplurality of holes could be provided in the column 384, into which thecolumn rotation locking bar 388 could be selectively inserted, to lockthe column 384 at a selected height within the pedestal 376, to lock thecooking device 348 at a selected height. Alternatively, a plurality offixed locating pins attached to the pedestal 376 could be used to selecta desired height. The apparatus may also include a lateral member 390attached to the column 384. A collar swivel (not shown) could beattached at or near the top of the column 384, and to the lateral member390, to permit the column 394 to rotate in relation to the lateralmember 390, to permit three hundred sixty degree (or less) rotation ofthe cooking device 348. The collar swivel could have a securing knob,for example attached to a threaded or spring loaded bar, for locking thecollar swivel at a selected rotation.

The apparatus 100 may also include a support arm outside gusset 392attached to the support arm 322 and the hitch insertion member 302. Theapparatus 100 may also include a support arm inside gusset 394 attachedto the support arm 322 and the hitch insertion member 302. The apparatus100 may also include an inside pedestal gusset 396 attached to thepedestal 376 and the primary swing arm 340. Optionally, the insidepedestal gusset 396 could have a threaded hole aligned with a rotationadjustment locking hole in the pedestal 376. The apparatus 100 may alsohave an outside pedestal gusset 398 attached to the pedestal 376 and theprimary swing arm 340. The apparatus 100 may also have a top hinge holeliner 400 inside the support arm top primary hinge hole 334, and abottom hinge hole liner 402 inside the support arm bottom primary hingehole 336. The apparatus 100 may also have a first bracket 404 attachedto a first end 406 of the lateral member 390 and a second bracket 408attached to a second end 410 of the lateral member 390. The firstbracket 404 may have a plurality of holes 412 and the second bracket 408may have a plurality of holes 414, and the cooking device 348 (forexample a barbeque) may have a plurality of holes 416 aligned with theplurality of holes 412 in the first bracket 404 and the plurality ofholes 414 in the second bracket 408. The apparatus 100 may also includea plurality of bolts 418 and a plurality of nuts 420 for attaching thecooking device 348 to the first bracket 404 and the second bracket 408,wherein the cooking device 348 is attached to the lateral member 390 byattaching the cooking device 348 to the first bracket 404 and the secondbracket 408 by inserting a bolt from the plurality of bolts 418 througheach of the aligned holes in the cooking device 348 and the firstbracket 404, and through each of the aligned holes in the cooking device348 and the second bracket 408, and securing each bolt with a nut fromthe plurality of nuts 420. Typically, 6-8 bolts are used, althoughdifferent numbers could be used. The lateral member 390 may have alateral member hole 422, and the column 384 may be inserted into thelateral member hole 422 and attached to the lateral member 390. However,the cooking device 348 could be attached to the primary swing arm 340 inany other suitable way. For example the column 384 may be attached tothe cooking device 348 with one or more support arms (not shown), andthe lateral member 390 and the first bracket 404 and the second bracket408 need not be included.

A cross section of the hitch insertion member 302 perpendicular to thehitch insertion member longitudinal axis 310 may be a square, rectangle,circle, oval or any other suitable shape. A cross section of the supportarm 322 perpendicular to the support arm longitudinal axis 332 may be asquare, rectangle, circle, oval or any other suitable shape. A crosssection of the primary swing arm 340 perpendicular to the primary swingarm longitudinal axis 342 may be a square, rectangle, circle, oval orany other suitable shape. A cross section of the pedestal 376perpendicular to the pedestal longitudinal axis 380 may be a square,circle, triangle, pentagon, hexagon, or any other suitable shape. Across section of the column 384 perpendicular to the column longitudinalaxis 386 may be a circle or any other suitable shape. The hitchinsertion member 302 (and the collar insertion member 1626, 1646discussed below), the support arm 322, the primary swing arm 340, andthe column 384 may be hollow, tubular, bar stock, solid, honeycombed orany other suitable structure, and may have different structures. Thepedestal 376 is hollow to permit insertion of the column 384.

The hitch insertion member 302, support arm 322, primary swing arm 340,primary hinge assembly 350, pedestal 376, column 384, lateral member390, first bracket 404, second bracket 408, and the other components ofthe apparatus 100 (and the apparatus 1600, 2000 discussed below) may bemade of steel, stainless steel, aluminum, carbon fiber, plastic, or anyother suitable material. Different components of the apparatus 100 maybe made from different materials. Any suitable type of finish may beused for the components of the apparatus 100, for example, zinc type 1,zinc type 2, paint, powder coat, or black oxide could be used for steelcomponents; polished stainless steel could be used for stainless steelcomponents; and soft anodized, hard anodized, paint, or powder coatcould be used for aluminum components. Chrome plating could be appliedto any material, and nickel plating could be applied to any materialexcept plastic. The apparatus 100 could be painted to match the color ofthe vehicle 104 to which the apparatus 100 is removably attached.

The cooking device 348 may be attached to the lateral member 390.However, the apparatus 100 does not have to include a cooking device348. The cooking device 348 could be, for example, a barbeque, agriddle, a wok, a gas burner, a smoker, a rotisserie, a deep fryer, orany other suitable device for cooking. Many of the possible cookingdevices will have a grill. Almost any grilling area could be used, buttypically the grilling area will range from about one hundred squareinches to about two thousand square inches. Different sizes and types ofbarbeque models can be used as the cooking device 348, and almost anybarbeque could be used. Appropriate gas barbeques can have one, two, ormore burners. Propane fueled barbeques having almost any BTU ratingcould be used, for example ten thousand BTU (or less) to one hundredthousand BTU (or more). A suitable barbeque can be obtained, forexample, from Onward Manufacturing Company, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada.Although not required, the cooking device 348 typically will have acover 424. The cover 424 may include a logo.

The cooking device 348, which for example may be a barbeque, can havealmost any weight, and typically will range from, for example, abouttwenty-five pounds to about five hundred pounds. However, a lighter orheavier cooking device 348 could be used. A typical barbeque used as thecooking device 348 may weigh about twenty-five pounds. The weight of theapparatus 100 including a barbeque (but not including a fuel tank) mayrange, for example, from about thirty pounds to about five hundredpounds, commonly will be about thirty pounds to about seventy-fivepounds, and typically will be about fifty pounds. However, the weight ofthe apparatus 100 could be lighter than thirty pounds or heavier thanfive hundred pounds. Typically, a propane tank will weigh from about tenpounds to about twenty pounds, but could weigh less than ten pounds ormore than twenty pounds.

The fuel for the cooking device 348 can be, for example, propane (LPG),charcoal, wood, natural gas, electricity, or any other type of gas orother fuel used for cooking. A wide variety of standard fuel tanks, forexample standard propane tanks, could be connected to the cooking device348, typically by using a standard connector for quick connection anddisconnection. Optionally, the apparatus 100 can include an attachmentfor connecting the cooking device 348 to a gas source on a vehicle, orto a land based gas source. For example, when used with a recreationalvehicle (RV), the apparatus 100 could be attached to a propane tank onthe recreational vehicle that is also used for the stove, refrigerator,and other appliances in the recreational vehicle.

Optionally, the pedestal 376 has a pedestal front securing hole 426 anda pedestal back securing hole 428, wherein the pedestal front securinghole 426 and the pedestal back securing hole 428 are on opposite sidesof the pedestal 376 and are aligned with each other. Similarly,optionally, the column 384 has a column front securing hole 430 and acolumn back securing hole 432, wherein the column front securing hole430 and the column back securing hole 432 are on opposite sides of thecolumn 384 and are aligned with each other. The column front securinghole 430 is located to permit alignment with the pedestal front securinghole 426, and the column back securing hole 432 is located to permitalignment with the pedestal back securing hole 428 when the column 384is inserted into the pedestal 376. The apparatus may also optionallyinclude a securing wall 434 attached to the support arm 322. Thesecuring wall 434 has a securing wall hole 436 located to align with thepedestal back securing hole 428 when the primary swing arm 340 is in aclosed position adjacent the support arm 322. The apparatus 100 alsooptionally includes a locking bar 438 for insertion into the securingwall hole 436, the pedestal back securing hole 428, the column backsecuring hole 432, the column front securing hole 430, and the pedestalfront securing hole 426, to secure the apparatus 100 for transport. Aclip may be attached to the locking bar 438 to secure the locking bar438, or alternatively, the locking bar may be part of a lock or may beattached to a lock. This arrangement of the securing holes and thesecuring wall 434 and the locking bar 438 permits securing or lockingthe column 384 (and therefore also the cooking device 348) to theapparatus 100. This arrangement also provides for securing or lockingthe column 384 and pedestal 376 to the securing wall 434 on the supportarm 322, thereby maintaining the primary swing arm 340 in a closedposition next to the support arm 322 for safely transporting theapparatus 100.

Optionally, the apparatus 100 could include a sensing device (notshown), for example an electrical or magnetic switch or a photovoltaicsensor, which could be attached, for example, to the support arm 322,the primary swing arm 340, the primary hinge assembly 350, or thesecuring wall 434, to detect when the primary swing arm 340 is in aclosed position next to the support arm 322. The sensing device could becoupled to a light, buzzer, speaker, or other type of indicator in thevehicle 104, to notify the user when the apparatus 100 is not in aclosed position when transporting or preparing to transport theapparatus 100.

Optionally, as shown in FIG. 4, the apparatus includes a fuel tankholder 450 attached to the primary swing arm 340 for attaching a fueltank 452 to the apparatus 100. Alternatively, the fuel tank holder 450could be attached to the support arm 322, the pedestal 376, or the hitchinsertion member 302. Other types of fuel tank holders could also beused. Alternatively, rather than including a fuel tank holder on theapparatus 100, the fuel tank 452 could be placed on the ground whenconnected to the cooking device 348 for cooking, and could be placed inthe vehicle 104 when transporting the apparatus 100. The fuel tank 452may be stored in the vehicle, or placed in the fuel tank holder 450,when transporting the apparatus 100. The apparatus also 100 optionallyincludes fuel hose retaining clips (not shown) for the fuel hose 453.

Optionally, as shown in FIG. 4, the apparatus 100 could also include afire extinguisher holder 454 attached to the pedestal 376, for attachinga fire extinguisher 456 to the apparatus 100. Alternatively, the fireextinguisher holder 454 could be attached to the support arm 322, theprimary swing arm 340, or the hitch insertion member 302. The fireextinguisher 456 may be stored in the vehicle 104, or placed in the fireextinguisher holder 454, when transporting the apparatus 100.

Optionally, additional items could be permanently or temporarilyattached to the support arm 322, the primary swing arm 340, and/or thepedestal 376. The additional items could include one or more coolers(ice chests), refrigerators, cutting surfaces (for example cuttingboards), condiment trays, and compartments or drawers for storingcooking utensils, grill covers, lights (for example for nightbarbequing), side-auxiliary grills (auxiliary burners), and/oradditional cooking devices.

Optionally, as shown in FIG. 4, the apparatus could include a shockdampening device 462 having a shock dampening device first end 464permanently or removably attached to the hitch insertion member 302 (orthe support arm 322 or the primary swing arm 340), and a second shockdampening device end 466 permanently or removably attached to thelateral member 390 (or the cooking device 348), to dampen the vibrationof the cooking device 348 when transporting the apparatus 100. The shockdampening device 462 may be a shock absorber or any other device fordampening movement and vibration of the cooking device 348.

Optionally, as shown in FIG. 4, the apparatus may include a supplementaltrailer hitch receptacle 468, and may also include a trailer hitch ballassembly 470 which may be attached to the supplemental trailer hitchreceptacle 468. The supplemental trailer hitch receptacle 468 isattached to the hitch insertion member 302, to enable the user to towsomething (for example a trailer or boat) with the vehicle 104, whilethe apparatus 100 is attached to the trailer hitch 102 of the vehicle104. The supplemental trailer hitch receptacle 468, and the trailerhitch ball assembly 470 could be temporarily attached and removable, orpermanently attached, to the apparatus 100. Also, the trailer hitch ballassembly 470 could be permanently or removably attached to thesupplemental trailer hitch receptacle 468. Alternatively, a trailerhitch ball assembly could be attached directly to the apparatus 100without using a supplemental trailer hitch receptacle 468.

Optionally, as shown in FIG. 4, the apparatus includes a license platemount 472 and a license plate light 474 attached to the support arm 322.Alternatively, the license plate mount 472 and license plate light 474could be attached to the primary swing arm 340, the hitch insertionmember 302, the pedestal 376, or any other portion of the apparatus 100.

Optionally, the apparatus could be configured to be self-aligning fortransport. For example, the cooking device 348 would be automaticallyrotated to orient the cooking device longitudinal axis 349 substantiallyparallel with the support arm longitudinal axis 332, when the primaryswing arm 340 is moved to a closed position next to the support arm 322.This could be accomplished, for example, with an alignment arm (notshown) connected to the swing arm and the column 384. The apparatuscould also be configured to be self closing.

Optionally, one or more springs (not shown) could be attached to thesupport arm 322 and the primary swing arm 340 to assist in closing theapparatus 100 for transport (positioning the primary swing arm 340 nextto the support arm 322). Optionally, one or more springs (not shown)could be attached to the apparatus 100 to assist in raising the cookingdevice 348 when adjusting the cooking device 348 to a desired height forcooking.

Optionally, one or more electrical motors (not shown) could be attachedto the support arm 322 and the primary swing arm 340 to swing theprimary swing arm 340 away from the support arm 322, and to close theprimary swing arm 340 to a position next to the support arm 322. A motorcould also be attached to the column 384 or lateral member 390 and/orother part of the apparatus 100 to raise or lower the cooking device348. The motor or motors could be operated with a wireless remotecontrol device, or with a switch in the vehicle wired to the motor ormotors, or with a switch on the apparatus 100 wired to the motor ormotors.

Optionally, the apparatus 100 could include speakers (not shown) thatcould be connected to a vehicle audio system.

Optionally, a ground support leg (not shown) could be used with theapparatus 100 to help support the cooking device 348 when cooking foodthat is particularly heavy. The ground support leg could be a verticalpost with a base. The ground support leg could be placed between theground and either the primary swing arm 340, the lateral member 390, thefirst bracket 404, the second bracket 408, or the cooking device 348, tohelp support the cooking device 348.

Optionally, the apparatus 100 could be placed in a carrier stand (notshown) when the apparatus is not attached to a vehicle. As an example,the carrier stand may have wheels to permit rolling the carrier stand onthe ground. The carrier stand could be rolled to a location in theuser's garage for storage of the apparatus 100, and could be rolled tothe trailer hitch 102 on the vehicle 104 when attaching the apparatus100 to the trailer hitch 102. As an example, the carrier stand could beconfigured to carry the apparatus 100 so that the hitch insertion member302 is at a height that permits easy insertion into the trailer hitch102 on the vehicle 104. The carrier stand could also be configured topermit adjusting the height of the apparatus 100 when the apparatus 100is in the carrier stand, to facilitate inserting the hitch insertionmember 302 into the trailer hitch 102. The apparatus 100 could also beused as a backyard, tailgate, or beach barbeque when placed in thecarrier stand. Optionally, the carrier stand could be made withremovable wheels, or without wheels.

B. Inclined Primary Swing Arm

As an example, as shown in FIG. 4, the support arm longitudinal axis 332and the primary swing arm longitudinal axis 342 are substantiallyparallel and horizontal, when the hitch insertion member 302 is orientedto be inserted into the trailer hitch 102. In another example of theapparatus 500 shown in FIG. 5, the support arm longitudinal axis 502 issubstantially horizontal and the swing arm longitudinal axis 504 definesan angle alpha from horizontal, when the hitch insertion member 506 isoriented to be inserted into the trailer hitch 102. In the apparatus 500shown in FIG. 5, the primary swing arm 508 is attached directly to thelateral member 510, and the apparatus 500 may not have a pedestal 376 orcolumn 384.

C. Shapes of the Support Arm and Primary Swing Arm

In the example of the apparatus 100 shown in FIG. 4, the support arm 322and the primary swing arm 340 are substantially straight. In anotherexample of the apparatus 600 shown in FIG. 6, the support arm 602 andthe primary swing arm 604 are curved, for example, to contour to theshape of a vehicle or to the shape of item(s) attached to a vehicle.Alternatively, the support arm 602 could be straight and the primaryswing arm 604 could be curved, or, the support arm 602 could be curvedand the primary swing arm 604 could be straight. Optionally, thepedestal 376 and column 384 could be curved (whether or not the supportarm 602 and/or the primary swing arm 604 are curved). In another exampleof the apparatus 700 shown in FIG. 7, the support arm 702 has extrasegments 704 and the primary swing arm 706 has extra segments 708, forexample, to fit the apparatus 700 around a spare tire or fuel containeror water container. Alternatively, one or more additional extrasegments, or less additional segments, could be used which areconfigured differently than the extra segments 704, 708 shown in FIG. 7.Alternatively only the support arm 702 or only the primary swing arm 706has one or more extra segments, for example, to support a gas or watercontainer. One or more straight or curved extra segments could also beincluded in a curved support arm and/or a curved primary swing arm, andcurved extra segments could also be included in a straight support armand/or a straight primary swing arm. Further, one or more extra segmentscould be included in the support arm and/or the primary swing arm and/orthe secondary swing arm in the other examples of the apparatus describedherein.

D. Vertical Members and Telescoping Portions

In another example of the apparatus 800 shown in FIG. 8, a hitchvertical member 802 is attached to the hitch insertion member 804 andthe support arm 806, to attach the support arm 806 to the hitchinsertion member 804, and to locate the support arm 806 and the primaryswing arm 808 in a plane that is a specified distance above the trailerhitch 102. Alternatively, the hitch vertical member 802 could extendbelow the hitch insertion member 804 and could be used to locate thesupport arm 806 and the primary swing arm 808 in a plane that is aspecified distance below the trailer hitch 102. Optionally, the hitchvertical member 802 could have an outer telescoping portion and an innertelescoping portion, to permit adjustment of the length of the hitchvertical member 802, which optionally could be locked at a desiredlength with a threaded locking pin that could be inserted in a threadedhole in the outer telescoping portion to push against the innertelescoping portion.

In another example of the apparatus 900 shown in FIG. 9, the primaryswing arm 902 is above the support arm 904. Alternatively, the primaryswing arm 902 could be located below the support arm 904.

In another example of the apparatus 1000 shown in FIG. 10, a supportvertical member 1002 is attached to the primary hinge assembly 1004 andthe primary swing arm 1006, to position the primary swing arm 1006 aspecified distance above the support arm 1008. Alternatively, thesupport vertical member 1002 could extend below the support arm 1008 andcould be used to position the primary swing arm 1006 a specifieddistance below the support arm 1008. Optionally, the support verticalmember 1002 could have an outer telescoping portion and an innertelescoping portion, to permit adjustment of the length of the supportvertical member 1002, which optionally could be locked at a desiredlength with a threaded locking pin that could be inserted in a threadedhole in the outer telescoping portion to push against the innertelescoping portion.

In another example of the apparatus 1100 shown in FIG. 11, the primaryswing arm 1102 has a retainer portion 1104 and a telescoping insertionportion 1106 that is partially inserted into the retainer portion 1104and secured to the retainer portion 1104, wherein the telescopinginsertion portion 1106 can be partially extended from within theretainer portion 1104 to extend the length of the primary swing arm1102. A retainer knob 1107 connected to a threaded retainer bar may beinserted into a threaded hole in the retainer portion 1104, to pushagainst the telescoping insertion portion 1106 to hold the telescopinginsertion portion 1106 in place. In this example the attachment wall1108 of the primary hinge assembly 1110 is attached to the telescopinginsertion portion 1106 of the primary swing arm 1102, and the base 1112of the pedestal 1114 is attached to the retainer portion 1104 of theprimary swing arm 1102. Similarly, the support arm 1116 could have aretainer portion (not shown) and a telescoping insertion portion (notshown) to extend the length of the support arm.

E. Swinging Support Arm

Another example of the invention may be embodied by the apparatus 1200shown in FIG. 12. The apparatus 1200 generally has the features of theapparatus 100, and also has the following additional components andfeatures. In one implementation of the example of the invention shown inFIG. 12, the support arm longitudinal axis 1202 could swingapproximately one hundred eighty degrees, from perpendicular to thehitch insertion member longitudinal axis 1204 in a first direction, toperpendicular to the hitch insertion member longitudinal axis 1204 in asecond opposite direction. For example, the support arm longitudinalaxis 1202 could be swung to a position substantially parallel to a rearbumper of the vehicle 104 in one direction, and then could be swung onehundred and eighty degrees to a position substantially parallel with therear bumper of the vehicle 104 an opposite direction. However, the rangeof swing could be greater, or smaller, than one hundred eighty degrees.In the apparatus 1200, the hitch insertion member 1206 has a hitchinsertion member top 1208 that has a hitch insertion member top hingehole 1210, and the hitch insertion member 1206 also has a hitchinsertion member bottom 1212 that has a hitch insertion member bottomhinge hole 1214 that is aligned with the hitch insertion member tophinge hole 1210. The hitch insertion member top 1208 also has a hitchinsertion member angle securing hole 1216.

The apparatus 1200 also includes a central hinge assembly 1218. However,any type of hinge, pivot, or other suitable apparatus for pivotallyattaching the support arm 1236 to the hitch insertion member 1206 couldbe used. The central hinge assembly 1218 has a top hinge plate 1220having a central hole 1222 for alignment with the hitch insertion membertop hinge hole 1210. The top hinge plate 1220 may also have a pluralityof locking holes 1224 for selective alignment with the hitch insertionmember angle securing hole 1216. The central hinge assembly 1218 alsohas a bottom hinge plate 1226 having a central hole 1228 for alignmentwith the hitch insertion member bottom hinge hole 1214. The centralhinge assembly 1218 may also have a stop wall 1230 attached to thebottom hinge plate 1226 to establish a maximum angle the support armlongitudinal axis 1202 can rotate in relation to the hitch insertionmember longitudinal axis 1204. Optionally, a second stop wall (notshown) could also be used. For example, a first stop wall could limitthe extent of swing of the support arm 1236 in a first direction, and asecond stop wall could limit the extent of swing of the support arm 1236in a second direction. The central hinge assembly 1218 also includes aback wall 1234 connected to the top hinge plate 1220 and the bottomhinge plate 1226. The back wall 1234 is attached to the support arm1236. The central hinge assembly 1218 also includes a central hinge bar1238 inserted through the central hole 1222 in the top hinge plate 1220in the central hinge assembly 1218, the hitch insertion member top hingehole 1210, the hitch insertion member bottom hinge hole 1214, and thecentral hole 1228 in the bottom hinge plate 1226 of the central hingeassembly 1218, to attach the support arm 1236 to the hitch insertionmember 1206, and to permit the support arm 1236 to rotate in relation tothe hitch insertion member 1206. The central hinge assembly 1218 mayalso have a central angle locking bar 1240 inserted into one of theplurality of locking holes 1224 in the top hinge plate 1220 of thecentral hinge assembly 1218 and into the angle securing hole 1216 in thehitch insertion member 1206, to lock the support arm longitudinal axis1202 at an angle in relation to the hitch insertion member longitudinalaxis 1204 selected from a plurality of angles determined by thelocations of the locking holes 1224 in the top hinge plate 1220 of thecentral hinge assembly 1218 and by the location of the angle securinghole 1216 in the hitch insertion member 1206. The central angle lockingbar 1240 may be in a self contained, spring loaded bar housing (notshown), which contains the bar to prevent the bar from being lost. Thebar housing may be tack welded to the top hinge plate 1220.Alternatively, the primary central angle locking bar 1240 is not in abar housing.

F. Secondary Swing Arm

Another example of the invention may be embodied by the apparatus 1300shown in FIG. 13. The apparatus 1300 generally has the features of theapparatus 100, and also has the following additional components andfeatures. The support arm 1302 in the apparatus 1300 may be longer thanthe support arm 322 in the apparatus 100. In the apparatus 1300, thesupport arm top 1304 has a support arm top secondary hinge hole 1306,and the support arm bottom 1308 also has a support arm bottom secondaryhinge hole 1310 that is aligned with the support arm top secondary hingehole 1306. The support arm top 1304 may also has a support arm secondaryangle securing hole 1312.

The apparatus 1300 also includes a secondary swing arm 1314 defining asecondary swing arm longitudinal axis 1316, and having a secondary swingarm hinged end 1318 and a secondary swing arm swinging end 1320. Theapparatus 1300 further includes a secondary hinge assembly 1322.However, any type of hinge, pivot, or other suitable apparatus forpivotally attaching the secondary swing arm 1314 to the support arm 1302could be used. The secondary hinge assembly 1322 has a top hinge plate1324 having a central hole 1326 for alignment with the support arm topsecondary hinge hole 1306. The top hinge plate 1324 may also have aplurality of locking holes 1328 for selective alignment with the supportarm secondary angle securing hole 1312. The secondary hinge assembly1322 also has a bottom hinge plate 1330 having a central hole 1332 foralignment with the support arm bottom secondary hinge hole 1310. Thesecondary hinge assembly 1322 may also have a stop wall 1334 attached tothe bottom hinge plate 1330 to establish the maximum angle the secondaryswing arm longitudinal axis 1316 can rotate in relation to the supportarm longitudinal axis 1336. The secondary hinge assembly 1322 alsoincludes an attachment wall 1338 connected to the top hinge plate 1324and the bottom hinge plate 1330. The attachment wall 1338 is attached tothe secondary swing arm 1314. The secondary hinge assembly 1322 alsoincludes a secondary hinge bar 1340 inserted through the central hole1326 in the top hinge plate 1324 in the secondary hinge assembly 1322,the support arm top secondary hinge hole 1306, the support arm bottomsecondary hinge hole 1310, and the central hole 1332 in the bottom hingeplate 1330 of the secondary hinge assembly 1322, to attach the secondaryswing arm 1314 to the support arm 1302, and to permit the secondaryswing arm 1314 to rotate in relation to the support arm 1302. Thesecondary hinge assembly 1322 may also have a secondary angle lockingbar 1342 inserted into one of the plurality of locking holes 1328 in thetop hinge plate 1324 of the secondary hinge assembly 1322 and into thesecondary angle securing hole 1312 in the support arm 1302, to lock thesecondary swing arm longitudinal axis 1316 at an angle in relation tothe support arm longitudinal axis 1336 selected from a plurality ofangles determined by the locations of the locking holes 1328 in the tophinge plate 1324 of the secondary hinge assembly 1322 and by thelocation of the secondary angle securing hole 1312 in the support arm1302. The secondary angle locking bar 1342 may be in a self contained,spring loaded bar housing (not shown), which contains the bar to preventthe bar from being lost. The bar housing may be tack welded to the tophinge plate 1324. Alternatively, the secondary angle locking bar 1342 isnot in a bar housing.

In the illustrated example, a secondary pedestal 1343 is attached to thesecondary swing arm 1314. Optionally, the secondary pedestal 1343 canhave front and back holes for securing the secondary swing arm 1314 to asecuring wall (not shown) with a secondary locking bar 1345. Optionally,one or more additional items may be permanently or removably attached tothe secondary pedestal 1343 and/or the secondary swing arm 1314.Optionally, the secondary pedestal 1343 is not included and one or moreof the additional items is attached directly to the secondary swing arm1314. These additional items could include one or more coolers 1344 (icechests), refrigerators, cutting surfaces 1346 (for example cuttingboards), condiment trays, and compartments or drawers 1348 for storingcooking utensils, grill covers, lights (for example, for nightbarbequing), side-auxiliary grills (auxiliary burners), and/oradditional cooking devices.

G. Height Locking Bar

Another example of the invention embodied by the apparatus 1400 isillustrated in FIG. 14. The apparatus 1400 includes a height locking bar1402 pivotally connected to the swing arm 1404 with a pivot assembly1406, wherein the height locking bar 1402 has a movable end 1408 thathas a hole 1410. The apparatus 1400 also has a ledge 1412 attached tothe lateral member 1414, wherein the ledge 1412 has a lateral slit 1416.The apparatus 1400 also has a height locking bolt 1418 inserted throughthe hole 1410 in the movable end 1408 of the height locking bar 1402 andthrough the lateral slit 1416 in the ledge 1412 of the lateral member1414. The apparatus 1400 also has a wingnut 1420 attached to the heightlocking bolt 1418, for securing the movable end 1408 of the heightlocking bar 1402 to the ledge 1412, to lock the cooking device 1422 at adesired height. Optionally, the height locking bar 1402 could have twotelescoping portions, and a locking rod for locking the telescopingportions so that the height locking bar 1402 could be locked atdifferent lengths. Optionally, one or more additional height lockingbars, height locking bolts, and wingnuts could be used, and one or moreadditional ledges and lateral slits could be used (or the ledge 1412 andthe lateral slit 1416 could be extended). Optionally, as illustrated inFIG. 14, in the apparatus 1400 the column 1424 may have a square crosssection rather than a circular cross section (although a circular crosssection could be used). Also, the apparatus 1400 may not include acolumn rotation locking bar 388 or a rotation adjustment locking hole382.

H. Hitch Collar, Ground Support Post, and Additional Embodiments

An example of the invention shown in FIG. 16, is an apparatus 1600selectively attachable to a vehicle, for transporting a device andpositioning the device in an orientation that permits access to thevehicle. The apparatus may include a support arm 1602 defining a supportarm longitudinal axis 1604, wherein the support arm has a hitch collarhole 1606. The hitch collar hole 1606 may be located proximate a firstend 1608 of the support arm 1602, but could be located in otherlocations. As an example, the hitch collar hole 1606 is rectangular,(and may be square). However, the hitch collar hole 1606 could have anydesired shape, and could be a square, circle, triangle, pentagon,hexagon, or any other suitable shape. The hitch collar hole 1606 maydefine a hitch collar hole longitudinal axis 1610, and the hitch collarhole longitudinal axis 1610 may be substantially perpendicular to thesupport arm longitudinal axis 1604. The support arm 1602 may have afirst set screw hole 1612, which may be threaded. Further, a first setscrew 1614 may be attached to the first set screw hole 1612.

The apparatus 1600 may further comprise a hitch collar 1616 insertedinto the hitch collar hole 1606 in the support arm 1602 and attached tothe support arm 1602. If a hitch collar 1616 is included, then the firstset screw hole 1612 may extend through both the support arm 1602 and thehitch collar 1616. The hitch collar 1616 may have a second set screwhole 1618, which may be threaded, and a second set screw 1620 may beattached to the second set screw hole 1618. Alternatively, the secondset screw hole 1618 could be located in the support arm 1602, forexample on a top 1622 of the support arm 1602 (and could also extendthrough the hitch collar 1616), and the second set screw 1620 could beattached to the second screw hole in the support arm 1602.Alternatively, the first set screw hole could be located in the hitchcollar 1616, (and not in the support arm 1602), for example in a portion1623 of the hitch collar 1616 that protrudes behind the support arm1602, and the first set screw 1614 could be attached to the first screwhole in the hitch collar 1616. In another alternative embodiment, one ormore additional set screw holes could be provided in the support arm1602 and/or the hitch collar 1616, and additional set screws could alsobe provided to be attached to the additional set screw holes. Theapparatus 1600 may also include a primary swing arm 1624 (having alongitudinal axis 1625), and a primary hinge assembly 350 for swingablyattaching the primary swing arm 1624 to the support arm 1602.

Referring to FIG. 17, the apparatus 1600 may also include a collarinsertion member 1626, which may be inserted into the hitch collar 1616.The shape of a cross section of the collar insertion member 1626perpendicular to a longitudinal axis 1628 of the collar insertion member1626, may be the same as the cross sectional shape of the hitch collar1616 perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 1610 of the hitch collar1616, which for example, may be rectangular (and more specifically, maybe square). However, cross sections of the collar insertion member 1626and/or the hitch collar 1616 could have any shapes that permit insertingthe collar insertion member 1626 into the hitch collar 1616, andsecuring the collar insertion member 1626 to the hitch collar 1616, andneed not be the same. For example, the shape of a cross section of thecollar insertion member 1626 and or the hitch collar 1616 could be asquare, circle, triangle, pentagon, hexagon, or any other suitableshape. In embodiments that do not include a hitch collar 1616, thesupport arm 1602 could be attached directly to the collar insertionmember 1626 (for example, by tightening one or more set screws), and thecross section of the collar insertion member 1626 could have any shapethat permits inserting the collar insertion member 1626 into the hitchcollar hole 1606 in the support arm 1602, and that also permitsinsertion into the trailer hitch 102 (shown in FIGS. 1 and 2) attachedto the vehicle 104 (shown in FIGS. 1 and 2), and securing the collarinsertion member 1626 to the trailer hitch 102. For example, a crosssection of the collar insertion member 1626 could be a rectangle,square, circle, triangle, pentagon, hexagon, or any other suitableshape. The collar insertion member 1626 may be shaped to be insertableinto any sized or shaped vehicle trailer hitch. In an alternativeembodiment, if the openings in the hitch collar 1616 and the trailerhitch 102 do not have the same cross sectional shape and size, then thecollar insertion member 1626 could have two (or more) cross sectionalshapes, wherein a first shape may correspond with the cross sectionalshape of the opening in the hitch collar 1616 (or the hitch collar hole1606 if a hitch collar 1616 is not included), and wherein a second shapemay correspond with the shape of the opening in the vehicle trailerhitch (the rearward facing hollow tubular end 108 of the trailer hitch102), for the portion of the collar insertion member 1626 that may beinserted into the vehicle trailer hitch. Thus, the collar insertionmember 1626 may be configured to attach to various types of tubulartrailer hitch openings having different sizes and shapes.

Still referring to FIG. 17, the collar insertion member 1626 may have ahole 1630 in a first side 1632 and a corresponding hole (not shown) in asecond side 1634 that is opposite the first side 1634, to permitinserting a hitch locking pin 112 (shown in FIG. 2) through the hole1630 and the corresponding hole in the second side 1634 of the collarinsertion member 1626, and corresponding hole 110 (shown in FIG. 2) inthe second side (and the corresponding hole in the first side) of thetrailer hitch 102, to secure the collar insertion member 1626 to thevehicle 104 trailer hitch 102. The collar insertion member 1626 may alsohave a second hole 1636 in the first side 1632, and a corresponding hole(not shown) in the second side 1634 of the collar insertion member 1626,to permit selectively inserting the hitch locking pin 112 through eitherthe hole 1630 or the hole 1636, to selectively determine the length ofthe portion of the collar insertion member 1626 that protrudes from thetrailer hitch 102. In embodiments that do not have a hitch collar 1616,the hitch collar hole may be formed so that the edges of the hitchcollar hole 1606 contact the collar insertion member 1626, when thecollar insertion member 1626 is inserted into the hitch collar hole1606. The first set screw 1614 and/or the second set screw 1620 may betightened to contact and push against the collar insertion member 1626to secure the collar insertion member 1626 to the hitch collar 1616.

Referring to FIG. 18, although not required, in another embodiment of acollar insertion member 1646, a hitch ball 1640 may be attached to ahitch ball mount 1642 that is attached to the end 1644 of the collarinsertion member 1646. Thus, the collar insertion member 1646 includesthe hitch ball 1640 and the hitch ball mount 1642. Accordingly, someembodiments permit attaching a trailer hitch ball 1640 to the trailerhitch 102 of the vehicle 104 while using the apparatus 1600, whichpermits towing an object such as a boat or a trailer, while theapparatus 1600 is attached to the vehicle 104. The collar insertionmember 1646 may be a standard trailer hitch ball apparatus commonly usedwith vehicle trailer hitches, or may be custom designed. The collarinsertion member 1646 generally has the characteristics and features ofthe collar insertion member 1626 (in addition to having a hitch ballmount 1642 and a hitch ball 1640). A collar insertion member 1626 or acollar insertion member 1646 may interchangeably be used with theapparatus 1600.

Referring to FIG. 19, the apparatus 1600 is shown with the collarinsertion member 1626 fully inserted into the hitch collar 1616.

FIG. 20 is a top view of an alternative embodiment of the apparatus2000, wherein the hitch collar 2002 does not have a portion 1623 (shownin FIG. 16) protruding behind the support arm 2003, but instead endsimmediately behind the back side 2004 of the support arm 2003. In thisembodiment both the first set screw 2006 and the second set screw 2008are located so as to be inserted into holes (not shown) in the supportarm 2003, and into holes (not shown) in the hitch collar 2002 beneaththe holes in the support arm 2003. Besides these differences, theapparatus 2000 generally may have the elements and characteristics ofthe apparatus 1600. In FIG. 20, the collar insertion member 1626 isshown fully inserted in to the hitch collar 2002.

Referring to FIG. 21, the apparatus 1600 is shown adjacent a vehicle 104that is attached to a trailer hitch 102. As discussed above, a hitchlocking pin 112 is shown for insertion into hole 1630 or hole 1636 (andthrough the corresponding hole on the second side 1634) of the in thecollar insertion member 1626, and through the hole 110 in the trailerhitch 102 (and the corresponding hole on the opposite side of thetrailer hitch 102) to secure the apparatus 1600 to the trailer hitch102. A locking pin clip 2102 may be inserted into a hole 2104 in thehitch locking pin 112, to secure the hitch locking pin 112 to thetrailer hitch 102. A pedestal 376 is attached to the primary swing arm1624, and a column 384 is inserted into the pedestal 376. A cookingdevice is attached to the column 384 (either directly or as described inother sections herein). However, a device other than a cooking devicecould be attached.

Still referring to FIG. 21, the apparatus 1600 may also include a groundsupport post 2104, which may be attached to the primary swing arm 1624.A base 2106 may be attached to the ground support post 2104. The groundsupport post 2104 may be one piece, or as shown, may have a telescopingend portion 2108 inserted into a base portion 2110, for adjusting thelength of the ground support post 2104. In one example, holes 2112 maybe provided in the ground support post 2104 for inserting one or morebolts or pins for locking the length of the ground support post 2104.When extended to come in contact with the ground, the ground supportpost 2104 helps support the weight of the apparatus 1600 and anyattached device. As shown in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 21, aground support post hinge 2114 may be attached to the primary swing arm1624, and the ground support post 2104 may be attached to the groundsupport post hinge 2114, to permit swinging the ground support post 2104from a first position near the primary swing arm 1624, to a secondposition wherein an end (which may be the base 2106) of the groundsupport post 2104 is in contact with the ground. In other embodiments(not shown), a ground support post hinge 2114 is not provided, and theground support post 2104 may be slidably attached to the apparatus 1624for vertical movement from a first position wherein the ground supportpost 2104 is adjacent the apparatus 1600, to a second position whereinan end (the base 2106) of the ground support post 2104 is in contactwith the ground. A ground support post retaining clip (not shown) may beattached to the primary swing arm 1624, for securing the ground supportpost 2104 in the first position, retracted near the primary swing arm1624. Additionally or instead of providing a ground support postretaining clip, a spring (not shown) may be attached to the groundsupport post 2104 and to the primary swing arm 1624 (or the groundsupport post hinge 2114), for holding the ground support post in thefirst position near the primary swing arm 1624. The ground support post2104 (with or without the base 2106) and the ground support post hinge2114 together may be called a kickstand. The ground support post 2104(and any of the associated elements discussed herein) may also beincluded in any of the other embodiments of the invention discussed inany section herein.

Referring to FIG. 22, the appatatus 1600 is shown with the primary swingarm 1624 in an extended position, and with the ground support post 2104extended and in contact with the ground 2202. In FIG. 22, a hitch ball1640 is attached to a hitch ball mount 1642, which are part of thecollar insertion member.

Referring to FIGS. 21 and 23, the position of the hitch collar 1616 onthe collar insertion member 1626 may be adjusted to locate the apparatus1600 (or 2000) at a desired distance from the vehicle 104, toaccommodate attaching different sized devices to the apparatus. Thus,the support arm 1602 may be positioned at a desired distance from thevehicle 104, selected from a range of distances determined by the lengthof the collar insertion member 1626, (and by which hole 1630 or 1636 isused to secure the collar insertion member 1626 to the trailer hitch102), and may be secured in the desired position by tightening the setscrews 1614, 1620.

The primary swing arm 1624 discussed in this section (with regard to theapparatus 1600, 2000) may be the same as the primary swing arm 340discussed in other sections herein, except that the primary swing arm1624 may be shorter to permit the hitch ball mount 1642 and the hitchball 1640 to protrude from the apparatus 1600 without being hit by theprimary swing arm 1624, and to permit the collar insertion member 1626to protrude from the apparatus 1600 without being hit by the primaryswing arm 1624 in embodiments where the collar insertion member 1626also protrudes. Thus, a length of the support arm 1602 parallel to thesupport arm longitudinal axis 1604 may be greater than a length of theprimary swing arm 1624 parallel to the primary swing arm longitudinalaxis 1625. The primary hinge assembly 350 discussed in this section maybe the same as the primary hinge assembly 350 described in othersections herein. Similarly, the pedestal 376 and the column 384discussed in this section may be the same as the pedestal 376 and thecolumn 384 discussed in other sections herein. The apparatus 1600 or2000, may generally have any of the elements, features, andcharacteristics discussed in other sections herein for otherembodiments. For any embodiment discussed herein, the device may be anytransportable device of suitable size and weight, and may be forexample, a cooking device, a bicycle (or bicycles), skis, luggage, awheelchair, a container, or a tank (for storing a gas or a liquid).These devices may be attached to the apparatus using any suitable methodof attachment, and need not be attached to a column and/or pedestal.

II. Operation

In addition to the various hardware embodiments described above, adifferent aspect of the invention concerns a method for using anapparatus that temporarily attaches to a vehicle, for transporting acooking device 348 and positioning the cooking device 348 in anorientation for cooking that permits access to the vehicle. FIG. 15shows a sequence 1500 for an exemplary method for using the apparatus.However, other methods of using the apparatus could be used. For ease ofexplanation, but without any intended limitation, the example of FIG. 15is described in the context of the apparatus 100 described above inFIGS. 1-4.

The sequence 1500 begins with task 1502 in which the apparatus isattached to the trailer hitch 102 on the vehicle 104. In task 1504, theuser secures the apparatus in a closed position for safe transport fordriving the vehicle 104. The apparatus 100 may be secured by orientingthe primary swing arm 340 in a closed position next to the support arm322, and then inserting the primary angle locking bar 368 into theprimary angle securing hole 338 and also into the locking hole from theplurality of locking holes 356 in the top hinge plate 352 of the primaryhinge assembly 350 that is lined up with the support arm primary anglesecuring hole 338 when the primary swing arm 340 is in a closed positionnext to the support arm 322. Alternatively, or in addition to using theprimary angle locking bar 368 to secure the apparatus 100, the apparatus100 may be secured by orienting the primary swing arm 340 in a closedposition next to the support arm 322, and then inserting the locking bar438 into the securing wall hole 436, the pedestal back securing hole428, the column back securing hole 432, the column front securing hole430, and the pedestal front securing hole 426, and securing the lockingbar in place, for example with a locking pin or a lock. In task 1506,the user drives the vehicle 104 to a desired cooking location. The userthen parks the vehicle 104 at the desired cooking location in task 1508.In task 1510, the user unsecures the apparatus 100 from the closedposition, while leaving the apparatus 100 connected to the trailer hitch102 on the vehicle 104. The apparatus 100 is unsecured by removing theprimary angle locking bar 368, and/or by removing the locking bar 438.Next, in task 1512, the user selects a locking hole from a plurality oflocking holes 356 on the primary hinge assembly 350, to line up with theangle securing hole 338 on the support arm 322, to establish a desiredangle between the support arm longitudinal axis 332 and the primaryswing arm longitudinal axis 342, wherein the desired angle is selectedfrom a plurality of angles determined by the locations of the pluralityof locking holes 356 and the angle securing hole 338. In task 1514, theuser moves the primary swing arm 340, to align the selected locking holewith the angle securing hole 338. Next, in task 1516, the user insertsthe primary angle locking bar 368 into the selected locking hole fromthe plurality of locking holes 356 and into the angle securing hole 338,to lock the primary swing arm longitudinal axis 342 at the desired anglein relation to the support arm longitudinal axis 332. Optionally, intask 1518, the user rotates the cooking device 348 to a desiredrotation. Optionally, in task 1520, the user secures the cooking device348 at the desired rotation. Optionally, in task 1522, the user adjuststhe height of cooking device 348 to a desired height. Optionally, intask 1524, the user secures the cooking device 348 at the desiredheight. If the cooking device 348 is not already connected to a fuelsource or does not already have a fuel source, then in task 1526, theuser connects a fuel line connected to a fuel source to the cookingdevice 348. In task 1528 the user ignites a heat source in the cookingdevice 348. The user cooks some food in task 1530. Next, in task 1532,the user extinguishes the heat source in the cooking device 348.Optionally, in task 1534, the user disconnects the fuel line from thecooking device 348. Typically, the fuel line will be disconnected fromthe cooking device 348 prior to transporting the apparatus 100. However,the fuel line could be left connected if the fuel tank 452 is attachedto the apparatus 100 during transport, for example in a fuel tank holder450. Next, in task 1536, the user secures the apparatus in a closedposition for safe transport for driving the vehicle 104, as describedabove. In task 1538, the user then drives the vehicle 104 to anotherlocation. In task 1540, the user parks the vehicle 104. Finally, in task1542, the user removes the apparatus 100 from the trailer hitch 102 onthe vehicle 104.

Alternatively, after parking the vehicle 104 at the location desired forcooking, the user removes the apparatus 100 from the trailer hitch 102of the vehicle 104 places the apparatus 100 on a carrier stand that isseparate from the apparatus 100, optionally connects a fuel lineconnected to a fuel source to the cooking device 348, ignites the heatsource in the cooking device 348, cooks some food, extinguishes the heatsource, optionally disconnects the fuel line from the cooking device348, removes the apparatus 100 from the carrier stand, attaches theapparatus 100 to the trailer hitch 102 on the vehicle 104, secures theapparatus 100 in a closed position for safe transport for driving thevehicle 104, drives the vehicle 104 to another location, parks thevehicle 104, and then removes the apparatus from the trailer hitch 102on the vehicle 104.

For the embodiments of the apparatus 1600 and 2000 discussed above, thesequence may also include selecting either a collar insertion member1626 that does not have a hitch ball 1640, or a collar insertion member1646 that includes a hitch ball 1640 and a hitch ball mount 1642. Thesequence may also include inserting the collar insertion member 1626 or1646 into the hitch collar 1616. The sequence may also includetightening the set screws 1614, 1620 at this point. The sequence mayalso include inserting the collar insertion member 1626 or 1646 into therearward facing hollow tubular end of the trailer hitch 108, and mayfurther include aligning either the hole 1630 or the hole 1636 in thecollar insertion member 1626 or 1646 with the hole 110 in the trailerhitch 102. The sequence may also include inserting the hitch locking pin112 through the aligned holes to secure the collar insertion member 1626or 1646 (and the other portions of the apparatus 1600, 2000) to thetrailer hitch 102. The sequence may also include attaching a locking pinclip 2102 to the hitch locking pin 112, to prevent the hitch locking pin112 from becoming dislodged from the trailer hitch 102. If the setscrews 1614, 1620 were previously tightened, the sequence may alsoinclude loosening the set screws 1614, 1620 so that, if desired, thesequence may also include moving the hitch collar 1616 in a directionsubstantially parallel to the longitudinal axis 1628 of the collarinsertion member 1626, 1646, to position the support arm 1602, 2003 (andother portions of the apparatus) at a desired distance from the vehicle104. The sequence may also include tightening the set screws 1614, 1620after the support arm 1602, 2003 is at a desired distance from thevehicle 104, to secure the hitch collar 1616 to the collar insertionmember 1626, 1646. In embodiments in which only one set screw isprovided, then in the sequence only the single set screw is tightened(or loosened). In summary, in some embodiments attaching the apparatusto a trailer hitch 102 on the vehicle 104 may include one or more of theoperations described in this paragraph.

For ease of explanation, but without any limitation intended limitation,use of the ground support post 2104 is discussed with reference to theapparatus 100, 1600, 2000. However, the ground support post 2104 couldbe used with other embodiments discussed herein. For any embodiment thatincludes a ground support post 2104, the sequence may also includemoving an end of the ground support post 2104 from a position near theapparatus 100, 1600, 2000, to a position in contact with the ground2202, after the primary swing arm 340, 1624 is secured at a desiredangle in relation to the support arm 322, 1602. Moving the end of theground support post 2104 from a position near the apparatus 100, 1600,2000, to a position in contact with the ground 2202, may assist insecuring the device at a desired height in some embodiments. To preparethe apparatus 100, 1600, 2000 for transport, the sequence may alsoinclude moving the end of the ground support post 2104 from a positionin contact with the ground 2202, to a position near the apparatus 100,1600, 2000. For any embodiment of the invention, the sequence may alsoinclude removing the device from the apparatus to permit using thedevice, and may also include attaching the device to the apparatus whenuse of the device is completed.

III. Additional Information

Some examples of the invention are described in the following entries:

Entry 1. An apparatus selectively attachable to a vehicle, fortransporting a cooking device and positioning the cooking device in anorientation for cooking that permits access to the vehicle, theapparatus comprising:

-   -   a hitch insertion member having a base;    -   a support arm having a support arm top and a support arm bottom,        and wherein the support arm defines a support arm longitudinal        axis, and wherein the support arm top has a support arm top        primary hinge hole and the support arm bottom has a support arm        bottom primary hinge hole aligned with the support arm top        primary hinge hole, and wherein the support arm is attached to        the base of the hitch insertion member;    -   a primary swing arm defining a primary swing arm longitudinal        axis;    -   a primary hinge assembly comprising:        -   a top hinge plate having a central hole for alignment with            the support arm top primary hinge hole;        -   a bottom hinge plate having a central hole for alignment            with the support arm bottom primary hinge hole; and        -   an attachment wall connected to the top hinge plate and the            bottom hinge plate, the attachment wall being attached to            the primary swing arm;    -   a primary hinge bar inserted through the central hole in the top        hinge plate in the primary hinge assembly, the support arm top        primary hinge hole, the support arm bottom primary hinge hole,        and the central hole in the bottom hinge plate of the primary        hinge assembly, to attach the primary swing arm to the support        arm, and to permit the swing arm to rotate in relation to the        support arm;    -   a pedestal having a base, wherein the base of the pedestal is        attached to the primary swing arm; and    -   a column, the column being at least partially inserted into the        pedestal.

Entry 2. The apparatus of entry 1:

-   -   wherein the hitch insertion member has a hitch insertion member        first side and a hitch insertion member second side, and wherein        the hitch insertion member first side has a hole and the hitch        insertion member second side has a hole aligned with the hole in        the hitch insertion member first side;    -   wherein the support arm has a support arm primary angle securing        hole;    -   wherein the top hinge plate of the primary hinge assembly has a        plurality of locking holes for selective alignment with the        support arm angle securing hole;    -   wherein the primary hinge assembly further comprises a stop wall        attached to the bottom hinge plate to establish the maximum        angle the longitudinal axis of the primary swing arm can rotate        in relation to the longitudinal axis of the support arm;    -   wherein the pedestal has a rotation adjustment hole;    -   further comprising a primary angle locking bar inserted into one        of the plurality of locking holes in the top hinge plate of the        primary hinge assembly and into the primary angle securing hole        in the support arm, to lock the longitudinal axis of the primary        swing arm at an angle in relation to the longitudinal axis of        the support arm selected from a plurality of angles determined        by the locations of the locking holes in the top hinge plate of        the primary hinge assembly and by the location of the primary        angle securing hole in the support arm;    -   further comprising a column rotation locking bar secured through        the pedestal rotation adjustment hole to lock the column at a        selected rotation within the pedestal; and    -   a lateral member attached to the column.

Entry 3. The apparatus of entry 2 further comprising a cooking deviceattached to the lateral member.

Entry 4. The apparatus of entry 3 wherein the cooking device is abarbeque.

Entry 5. The apparatus of entry 4:

-   -   wherein the pedestal has a pedestal front securing hole and a        pedestal back securing hole, and wherein the pedestal front        securing hole and the pedestal back securing hole are on        opposite sides of the pedestal and are aligned with each other;    -   wherein the column has a column front securing hole and a column        back securing hole, wherein the column front securing hole and        the column back securing hole are on opposite sides of the        column and are aligned with each other, and wherein the column        front securing hole is located to permit alignment with the        pedestal front securing hole and the column back securing hole        is located to permit alignment with the pedestal back securing        hole when the column is fully inserted into the pedestal; and    -   further comprising:    -   a securing wall attached to the support arm, the securing wall        having a securing wall hole located to align with the pedestal        back securing hole when the primary swing arm is adjacent the        support arm; and    -   a locking bar for insertion into the pedestal front securing        hole, the column front securing hole, the column back securing        hole, the pedestal back securing hole, and the securing wall        hole, to secure the apparatus for transport.

Entry 6. The apparatus of entry 5:

-   -   wherein the central hole in the top hinge plate of the primary        hinge assembly is located in an overhang area of the top hinge        plate, and wherein the plurality of locking holes in the top        hinge plate of the primary hinge assembly are also located in        the overhang area of the top hinge plate; and    -   wherein the central hole in the bottom hinge plate of the        primary hinge assembly is located in an overhang area of the        bottom hinge plate.

Entry 7. The apparatus of entry 6 wherein the bottom hinge plate alsohas a nonoverhang area, and wherein the stop wall is partiallycontiguous with the overhang area and the nonoverhang area of the bottomhinge plate.

Entry 8. The apparatus of entry 7 wherein the support arm has a firstend, and wherein the support arm top primary hinge hole is locatedwithin about 5 centimeters from the second end of the support arm, andwherein the support arm primary angle securing hole is located withinabout 10 centimeters from the support arm top primary hinge hole.

Entry 9. The apparatus of entry 8:

-   -   wherein the hitch insertion member defines a hitch insertion        member longitudinal axis, and wherein a cross section of the        hitch insertion member perpendicular to the hitch insertion        member longitudinal axis is a square;    -   wherein a cross section of the support arm perpendicular to the        support arm longitudinal axis is a rectangle;    -   wherein a cross section of the primary swing arm perpendicular        to the primary swing arm longitudinal axis is a rectangle; and    -   wherein the pedestal defines a pedestal longitudinal axis and        wherein a cross section of the pedestal perpendicular to the        pedestal longitudinal axis is a square; and    -   wherein the column defines a column longitudinal axis, and        wherein a cross section of the column perpendicular to the        column longitudinal axis is a circle.

Entry 10. The apparatus of entry 9 further comprising:

-   -   a support arm outside gusset attached to the support arm and the        hitch insertion member;    -   a support arm inside gusset attached to the support arm and the        hitch insertion member;    -   an inside pedestal gusset attached to the pedestal and the        primary swing arm, the inside pedestal gusset having a threaded        hole aligned with the rotation adjustment hole in the pedestal;    -   an outside pedestal gusset attached to the pedestal and the        primary swing arm;    -   a top hinge hole liner attached to the support arm top primary        hinge hole;    -   a bottom hinge hole liner attached to the support arm bottom        primary hinge hole;    -   a first bracket attached to a first end of the lateral member;    -   a second bracket attached to a second end of the lateral member;    -   a plurality of bolts and nuts; and    -   wherein the first bracket has a plurality of holes and the        second bracket has a plurality of holes, and the barbeque has a        plurality of holes aligned with the plurality of holes in the        first bracket and the second bracket, and wherein the barbeque        is attached to the first bracket and the second bracket with a        bolt from the plurality of bolts inserted through each of the        aligned holes in the barbeque and the first bracket, and through        each of the aligned holes in the barbeque and the second        bracket, with each bolt being secured with a nut from the        plurality of nuts; and    -   wherein the lateral member has a lateral member hole, and the        column is inserted into the lateral member hole.

Entry 11. The apparatus of entry 4:

-   -   wherein the hitch insertion member defines a hitch insertion        member longitudinal axis and the pedestal defines a pedestal        longitudinal axis;    -   wherein the support arm has a support arm first end, and wherein        the support arm first end is attached to the base of the hitch        insertion member with the support arm longitudinal axis        substantially perpendicular to the hitch insertion member        longitudinal axis; and    -   wherein the primary swing arm has a primary swing arm hinged end        and a primary swing arm swinging end, and wherein the attachment        wall of the primary hinge assembly is attached to the primary        swing arm hinged end, and wherein the base of the pedestal is        attached to the primary hinge assembly swinging end, with the        pedestal longitudinal axis substantially perpendicular to the        longitudinal axis of the primary swing arm.

Entry 12. The apparatus of entry 4, wherein, the support armlongitudinal axis and the swing arm longitudinal axis are substantiallyparallel and horizontal, when the hitch insertion member is oriented tobe inserted into a trailer hitch.

Entry 13. The apparatus of entry 3, wherein the support arm longitudinalaxis is substantially parallel to horizontal, and wherein the swing armlongitudinal axis defines an angle alpha from horizontal, when the hitchinsertion member is oriented to be inserted into a trailer hitch.

Entry 14. The apparatus of entry 3, wherein the support arm and theprimary swing arm are curved.

Entry 15. The apparatus of entry 3, wherein the support arm has at leastone additional support arm segment and the primary swing arm has atleast one additional swing arm segment.

Entry 16. The apparatus of entry 3, further comprising a hitch verticalmember attached to the hitch insertion member and the support arm forattaching the support arm to the hitch insertion member and to locatethe support arm and the primary swing arm in a plane that is a specifieddistance above the trailer hitch.

Entry 17. The apparatus of entry 4 wherein the primary swing arm isabove the support arm.

Entry 18. The apparatus of entry 3, further comprising a supportvertical member attached to the primary hinge assembly and the primaryswing arm to position the primary swing arm a specified distance abovethe support arm.

Entry 19. The apparatus of entry 3, wherein the primary swing armcomprises a retainer portion and a telescoping insertion portionpartially inserted into the retainer portion and secured to the retainerportion, wherein the telescoping insertion portion can be partiallyextended from within the retainer portion to extend the length of theprimary swing arm, and wherein the attachment wall of the primary hingeassembly is attached to the retainer portion, and wherein the base ofthe pedestal is attached to the telescoping insertion portion.

Entry 20. The apparatus of entry 3, further comprising a supplementaltrailer hitch receptacle attached to the apparatus.

Entry 21. The apparatus of entry 20, further comprising trailer hitchball attached to the supplemental trail hitch receptacle.

Entry 22. The apparatus of entry 4 further comprising a license platemount and a license plate light attached to the apparatus.

Entry 23. The apparatus of entry 4 further comprising a fuel tankretaining rack attached to the apparatus, for attaching a fuel tank tothe apparatus.

Entry 24. The apparatus of entry 4 further comprising a shock dampeningdevice having a shock dampening device first end attached to the hitchinsertion member and a shock dampening device second end attached to thelateral member.

Entry 25. The apparatus of entry 3 further comprising:

-   -   a height locking bar pivotally connected to the swing arm, the        height locking bar having a movable end having a hole;    -   a ledge attached to the lateral member, the ledge having a        lateral slit;    -   a height locking bolt inserted through the hole in the movable        end of the height locking bar and the lateral slit in the ledge        of the lateral member; and    -   a wingnut attached to the height locking bolt, for locking the        cooking apparatus at a desired height.

Entry 26. The apparatus of entry 3, wherein the hitch insertion memberhas a hitch insertion member top and a hitch insertion member bottom,and wherein the hitch insertion member top has a hitch insertion membertop hinge hole and the hitch insertion member bottom has a hitchinsertion member bottom hinge hole aligned with the hitch insertionmember top hinge hole, and wherein the hitch insertion member top has ahitch insertion member angle securing hole; and

-   -   further comprising:    -   a central hinge assembly comprising:        -   a top hinge plate having a central hole for alignment with            the hitch insertion member top hinge hole, the top hinge            plate also having a plurality of locking holes for selective            alignment with the hitch insertion member locking hole;        -   a bottom hinge plate having a central hole for alignment            with the hitch insertion member bottom hinge hole;        -   a stop wall attached to the bottom hinge plate to establish            a maximum angle the longitudinal axis of the support arm can            rotate in relation to the longitudinal axis of the hitch            insertion member; and        -   a back wall connected to the top hinge plate and the bottom            hinge plate, the back wall being attached to the support            arm;    -   a central hinge bar inserted through the central hole in the top        hinge plate in the central hinge assembly, the hitch insertion        member top hinge hole, the hitch insertion member bottom hinge        hole, and the central hole in the bottom hinge plate of the        central hinge assembly, to attach the support arm to the base of        the hitch insertion member, and to permit the support arm to        rotate in relation to the hitch insertion member; and    -   a central angle locking bar inserted into one of the plurality        of locking holes in the top hinge plate of the central hinge        assembly and into the locking hole in the hitch insertion        member, to lock the longitudinal axis of the support arm at an        angle in relation to the longitudinal axis of the hitch        insertion member selected from a plurality of angles determined        by the locations of the locking holes in the top hinge plate of        the central hinge assembly and by the location of the angle        securing hole in the hitch insertion member.

Entry 27. The apparatus of entry 3:

-   -   wherein the support arm has a support arm top secondary hinge        hole and the support arm bottom has a support arm bottom        secondary hinge hole aligned with the support arm top secondary        hinge hole, and wherein the support arm top has a support arm        secondary angle securing hole; and    -   further comprising:    -   a secondary swing arm defining a secondary swing arm        longitudinal axis;    -   a secondary hinge assembly comprising:        -   a top hinge plate having a central hole for alignment with            the support arm top secondary hinge hole, the top hinge            plate also having a plurality of locking holes for selective            alignment with the support arm secondary angle securing            hole;        -   a bottom hinge plate having a central hole for alignment            with the support arm bottom secondary hinge hole;        -   a stop wall attached to the bottom hinge plate to establish            the maximum angle the longitudinal axis of the secondary            swing arm can rotate in relation to the longitudinal axis of            the support arm; and        -   an attachment wall connected to the top hinge plate and the            bottom hinge plate, the attachment wall being attached to            the secondary swing arm;    -   a secondary hinge bar inserted through the central hole in the        top hinge plate in the secondary hinge assembly, the support arm        top secondary hinge hole, the support arm bottom secondary hinge        hole, and the central hole in the bottom hinge plate of the        secondary hinge assembly, to attach the secondary swing arm to        the support arm, and to permit the secondary swing arm to rotate        in relation to the support arm; and    -   a secondary angle locking bar inserted into one of the plurality        of locking holes in the top hinge plate of the secondary hinge        assembly and into the secondary angle securing hole in the        support arm, to lock the longitudinal axis of the secondary        swing arm at an angle in relation to the longitudinal axis of        the support arm selected from a plurality of angles determined        by the locations of the locking holes in the top hinge plate of        the secondary hinge assembly and by the location of the        secondary angle securing hole in the support arm.

Entry 28. An apparatus selectively attachable to a vehicle, fortransporting a cooking device and positioning the cooking device in anorientation for cooking that permits access to the vehicle, theapparatus comprising:

-   -   means for connecting the apparatus to a trailer hitch on a        vehicle;    -   a support arm defining a support arm longitudinal axis, wherein        the support arm is attached to the means for connecting the        apparatus to a trailer hitch;    -   a primary swing arm defining a primary swing arm longitudinal        axis;    -   means for pivotally attaching the primary swing arm to the        support arm;    -   means for locking the longitudinal axis of the primary swing arm        at an angle in relation to the longitudinal axis of the support        arm selected from a plurality of angles determined by the        locations of a plurality of locking holes and an angle securing        hole;    -   means for attaching the cooking device to the primary swing arm;    -   means for rotating the cooking device;    -   means for adjusting the height of the cooking device; and    -   means for securing the apparatus for safe transport while        driving the vehicle.

Entry 29. A method for using an apparatus that temporarily attaches to avehicle, for transporting a cooking device and positioning the cookingdevice in an orientation for cooking that permits access to the vehicle,the method comprising:

-   -   attaching the apparatus to a trailer hitch on a vehicle;    -   securing the apparatus in a closed position for safe transport        for driving the vehicle;    -   driving the vehicle to a desired cooking location; parking the        vehicle at the desired cooking location;    -   unsecuring the apparatus from the closed position, while leaving        the apparatus connected to the trailer hitch on the vehicle;    -   selecting a locking hole from a plurality of locking holes, to        line up with an angle securing hole, to establish a desired        angle between a support arm longitudinal axis and a swing arm        longitudinal axis, wherein the desired angle is selected from a        plurality of angles determined by the locations of the plurality        of locking holes and the angle securing hole;    -   moving the swing arm to align the selected locking hole with the        angle securing hole;    -   inserting an angle locking bar into the selected locking hole        and into the angle securing hole, to lock the swing arm        longitudinal axis at the desired angle in relation to the        support arm longitudinal axis;    -   rotating the cooking device to a desired rotation;    -   securing the cooking device at the desired rotation;    -   igniting a heat source in the cooking device;    -   cooking some food;    -   extinguishing the heat source in the cooking device;    -   securing the apparatus in a closed position for safe transport        for driving the vehicle;    -   driving the vehicle to another location;    -   parking the vehicle; and    -   removing the apparatus from the trailer hitch on the vehicle.

Entry 30. The method of entry 29 further comprising:

-   -   adjusting height of cooking device to a desired height; and    -   securing the cooking device at the desired height.

Entry 31. The method of entry 29 further comprising:

-   -   connecting a fuel line connected to a fuel source to the cooking        device, before igniting the heat source in the cooking device;        and        disconnecting the fuel line from the cooking device, after        extinguishing the heat source in the cooking device.

Some examples of the invention may be summarized as follows:

One aspect of the present invention concerns a portable apparatus thatis selectively attachable to a vehicle, for transporting a cookingdevice and positioning the cooking device in an orientation for cookingthat permits access to the vehicle.

In one example of the invention, the apparatus includes a hitchinsertion member, a support arm that is attached to the hitch insertionmember, a swing arm that is attached to the support arm with a hinge, apedestal attached to the swing arm, and a cooking device that isattached to a column that is inserted into the pedestal. As an example,the cooking device may be a propane fueled barbeque.

The hitch insertion member is shaped for insertion into a trailer hitchattached to a vehicle. The hitch insertion member has a hole in a firstside, and a hole in a second side aligned with the hole in the firstside, for securing the hitch insertion member to the trailer hitch. Asan example, the hitch insertion member is inserted into the trailerhitch and is secured to the trailer hitch in a user's garage prior todriving to a sporting event for a tailgate barbeque party.

The support arm is attached to a base of the hitch insertion member. Thesupport arm has a support arm top hinge hole, and a support arm bottomhinge hole that is aligned with the support arm top hinge hole. Thesupport arm top also has a support arm angle securing hole.

The swing arm is attached to a locking hinge assembly. The locking hingeassembly has a top hinge plate that has a central hole that is alignedwith the support arm top hinge hole. The top hinge plate also has aplurality of locking holes for selective alignment with the support armangle securing hole. The locking hinge assembly also has a bottom hingeplate that has a central hole that is aligned with the support armbottom hinge hole. The locking hinge assembly also has a stop wallattached to the bottom hinge plate to establish the maximum angle theswing arm can rotate in relation to the longitudinal axis of the supportarm. The locking hinge assembly also includes a hinge bar that isinserted through the central hole in the top hinge plate in the lockinghinge assembly, the support arm top hinge hole, the support arm bottomhinge hole, and the central hole in the bottom hinge plate of thelocking hinge assembly, to attach the swing arm to the support arm, andto permit the swing arm to rotate in relation to the support arm.

The locking hinge assembly further includes an angle locking bar, thatthe user inserts into one of the plurality of locking holes in the tophinge plate and into the angle securing hole in the support arm, to lockthe longitudinal axis of the swing arm at a selected angle in relationto the longitudinal axis of the support arm. The selected angle isdetermined by the location of the locking hole in the plurality oflocking holes in the top hinge plate that the user chooses to align withthe angle securing hole in the support arm.

Prior to driving the vehicle that the apparatus is attached to, the userswings the swing arm into a closed position next to the support arm,which causes one of the locking holes in the top hinge plate to becomealigned with the angle securing hole in the support arm. The user thenplaces the angle locking bar into the aligned holes to lock the swingarm in the closed position next to the support arm.

After the user parks the vehicle at the desired cooking location, theuser removes the angle locking bar from the angle securing hole in thesupport arm, and then swings the nonhinged end of the swing arm awayfrom the support arm, to move the cooking device further behind thevehicle, or to the side of the vehicle, to generally position thecooking device in a desired location for cooking, and to permit accessto the rear door(s) or hatch of the vehicle. The user can then lock theswing arm to keep the cooking device at the desired location. The swingarm is locked into position by moving the swing arm to align one of thelocking holes in the top hinge plate with the angle securing hole in thesupport arm, and then placing the angle locking bar into the alignedholes. The angle between the longitudinal axis of the support arm andthe longitudinal axis of the swing arm is determined by the location ofthe locking hole in the top hinge plate that is aligned with the anglesecuring hole.

The column that the cooking device is attached to is inserted into thepedestal that is attached to the swing arm. The column can rotate in thepedestal, which permits the user to rotate the cooking device to adesired rotation. The user may secure the cooking device at the desiredrotation by tightening a column rotation locking bar that, whentightened, presses against the column through a hole in the pedestal.

One or more of the following advantages may be provided by one or moreexamples of the invention. Some examples of the apparatus of the presentinvention permit swinging the cooking device further behind the vehicle,or to the side of the vehicle, to permit complete accessibility to thevehicle cargo bay via the rear door(s) or the rear hatch of the vehicle,when loading or unloading the vehicle. Some examples of the apparatusalso permit moving the cooking device before or during cooking tooptimally position the cooking device, for example, with regard tosafety or the wind or sun, and the cooking device can be locked at adesired position. Another advantage is that some examples of theapparatus can be quickly moved into position for cooking, and can alsobe quickly secured for travel. Additionally, the apparatus can easily betemporarily attached to the vehicle prior to driving to an outdoorrecreational location, and then can easily be removed from the vehiclewhen the user returns home. Further, the apparatus need not be stored inthe valuable interior cargo area of the vehicle, which leaves that spaceavailable for additional passengers or supplies. Also, with regard tofire safety, the contained cooking environment of the cooking deviceprovides a much safer alternative to a campfire. Furthermore, thecooking device provides a clean cooking environment unlike many publicbarbeques.

IV. Other Embodiments

While the foregoing disclosure shows a number of illustrativeembodiments of the invention, it will be apparent to those skilled inthe art that various changes and modifications can be made hereinwithout departing from the scope of the invention as defined by theappended claims. Furthermore, although elements of the invention may bedescribed or claimed in the singular, the plural is contemplated unlesslimitation to the singular is explicitly stated.

1. An apparatus selectively attachable to a vehicle, for transporting adevice and positioning the device in an orientation that permits accessto the vehicle, the apparatus comprising: a support arm defining asupport arm longitudinal axis, wherein the support arm has a hitchcollar hole; a primary swing arm defining a primary swing armlongitudinal axis; a primary hinge assembly coupled to the support armand the primary swing arm; a hitch collar inserted into the hitch collarhole in the support arm and attached to the support arm; a collarinsertion member inserted into the hitch collar, wherein the collarinsertion member is attached to the hitch collar, and wherein the collarinsertion member is encircled by the hitch collar and is encircled bythe support arm; and wherein the support arm has a first end and asecond end, and wherein the hitch collar hole is located proximate thefirst end of the support arm at a location along the longitudinal axisof the support arm that does not overlap the primary swing arm when theprimary swing arm is oriented with the longitudinal axis of the primaryswing arm substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the supportarm, to provide space between the collar insertion member and theprimary swing arm when the primary swing arm is oriented with thelongitudinal axis of the primary swing arm substantially parallel to thelongitudinal axis of the support arm.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1:wherein the support arm has a first set screw hole; and furthercomprising a first set screw attached to the first set screw hole. 3.The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the hitch collar hole defines a hitchcollar hole longitudinal axis, and wherein the hitch collar holelongitudinal axis is substantially perpendicular to the support armlongitudinal axis.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the hitch collarhole is rectangular.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein a length ofthe support arm parallel to the support arm longitudinal axis is greaterthan a length of the primary swing arm parallel to the primary swing armlongitudinal axis.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: aground support post attached to the primary swing arm; and a baseattached to the ground support post.
 7. The apparatus of claim 1,further comprising a pedestal attached to the primary swing arm.
 8. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein the device is a cooking device.
 9. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein the device is a bicycle.
 10. The apparatusof claim 1, wherein the device is a ski.
 11. The apparatus of claim 1,wherein the device is luggage.
 12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein thedevice is a wheelchair.
 13. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the deviceis a container.
 14. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the device is atank.
 15. The apparatus of claim 1: wherein the support arm has asupport arm primary angle securing hole, and wherein the primary hingeassembly has a plurality of locking holes for selective alignment withthe support arm angle securing hole; and further comprising a primaryangle locking bar inserted into one of the plurality of locking holes inthe primary hinge assembly and into the primary angle securing hole inthe support arm, to lock the longitudinal axis of the primary swing armat an angle in relation to the longitudinal axis of the support armselected from a plurality of angles determined by the locations of theplurality of locking holes in the primary hinge assembly and by thelocation of the primary angle securing hole in the support arm.
 16. Theapparatus of claim 15, wherein the support arm has a back side; whereinthe hitch collar has a portion that protrudes from the back side of thesupport arm; and wherein the collar insertion member is attached to theportion of the hitch collar that protrudes from the back side of thesupport arm.
 17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the collar insertionmember has a side having a first hole and a second hole.
 18. Theapparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a ground support post hingeattached to the primary swing arm; and a ground support post attached tothe ground support post hinge.
 19. The apparatus of claim 18, furthercomprising: a base attached to an end of the ground support post; and aground support post retaining clip attached to the primary swing arm.20. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the support arm comprises asupport arm top having a primary support arm top primary hinge hole, anda support arm bottom having a primary support arm bottom primary hingehole aligned with the support arm top primary hinge hole.
 21. Theapparatus of claim 20, wherein the primary hinge assembly comprises: atop hinge plate having a central hole for alignment with the support armtop primary hinge hole; a bottom hinge plate having a central hole foralignment with the support arm bottom primary hinge hole; and anattachment wall connected to the top hinge plate and the bottom hingeplate, and wherein the attachment wall is attached to the primary swingarm; and wherein the apparatus further comprises a primary hinge barinserted through the central hole in the top hinge plate in the primaryhinge assembly, the support arm top primary hinge hole, the support armbottom primary hinge hole, and the central hole in the bottom hingeplate of the primary hinge assembly, to attach the primary swing arm tothe support arm, and to permit the swing arm to rotate in relation tothe support arm.
 22. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: apedestal having a base, wherein the base of the pedestal is attached tothe primary swing arm; and a column, wherein the column is at leastpartially inserted into the pedestal.
 23. The apparatus of claim 22,wherein the device is coupled to the column.
 24. The apparatus of claim22, wherein the hitch collar extends beyond the support arm in oppositedirections along the longitudinal axis of the hitch collar hole; andwherein the collar insertion member extends beyond the hitch collar inopposite directions along the longitudinal axis of the hitch collarhole.
 25. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the support arm has a backside; wherein the hitch collar has a portion that protrudes from theback side of the support arm; and wherein the collar insertion member isattached to the portion of the hitch collar that protrudes from the backside of the support arm.
 26. The apparatus of claim 25: wherein thesupport arm has a first set screw hole, and further comprising: a firstset screw attached to the first set screw hole; and wherein the firstset screw is in contact with the collar insertion member to secure thecollar insertion member to the hitch collar.
 27. The apparatus of claim26, wherein the collar insertion member includes a hitch ball.
 28. Theapparatus of claim 26: wherein the hitch collar has a second set screwhole; and further comprising: a second set screw attached to the secondset screw hole; and wherein the first set screw and the second set screware in contact with the collar insertion member to secure the collarinsertion member to the hitch collar.
 29. An apparatus selectivelyattachable to a vehicle, for transporting a device and positioning thedevice in an orientation that permits access to the vehicle, theapparatus comprising: a support arm defining a support arm longitudinalaxis, wherein the support arm has a hitch collar hole; a hitch collarinserted into the hitch collar hole and attached to the support arm,wherein the hitch collar has a first set screw hole; a first set screwattached to the first set screw hole; a primary swing arm defining aprimary swing arm longitudinal axis; a primary hinge assembly coupled tothe support arm and the primary swing arm; a collar insertion memberinserted into the hitch collar, wherein the collar insertion member isattached to the hitch collar, and wherein the collar insertion member isencircled by the hitch collar and is encircled by the support arm; andwherein the support arm has a first end and a second end, and whereinthe hitch collar hole is located proximate the first end of the supportarm at a location along the longitudinal axis of the support arm thatdoes not overlap the primary swing arm when the primary swing arm isoriented with the longitudinal axis of the primary swing armsubstantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the support arm, toprovide space between the collar insertion member and the primary swingarm when the primary swing arm is oriented with the longitudinal axis ofthe primary swing arm substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis ofthe support arm.
 30. The apparatus of claim 29, wherein the support armhas a second set screw hole; and further comprising a second set screwattached to the second set screw hole.
 31. The apparatus of claim 29,further comprising: a ground support post hinge attached to the primaryswing arm; and a ground support post attached to the ground support posthinge.
 32. The apparatus of claim 29: wherein the support arm has asupport arm primary angle securing hole, and wherein the primary hingeassembly has a plurality of locking holes for selective alignment withthe support arm angle securing hole; and further comprising a primaryangle locking bar inserted into one of the plurality of locking holes inthe primary hinge assembly and into the primary angle securing hole inthe support arm, to lock the longitudinal axis of the primary swing armat an angle in relation to the longitudinal axis of the support armselected from a plurality of angles determined by the locations of theplurality of locking holes in the primary hinge assembly and by thelocation of the primary angle securing hole in the support arm.
 33. Aswingable apparatus selectively attachable to a vehicle, the apparatuscomprising: a support arm defining a support arm longitudinal axis,wherein the support arm has a hitch collar hole and a support armprimary angle securing hole; a primary swing arm defining a primaryswing arm longitudinal axis; a primary hinge assembly coupled to thesupport arm and the primary swing arm, wherein the primary hingeassembly has a plurality of locking holes for selective alignment withthe support arm angle securing hole; a primary angle locking barinserted into one of the plurality of locking holes in the primary hingeassembly and into the primary angle securing hole in the support arm, tolock the longitudinal axis of the primary swing arm at an angle inrelation to the longitudinal axis of the support arm selected from aplurality of angles determined by the locations of the plurality oflocking holes in the primary hinge assembly and by the location of theprimary angle securing hole in the support arm; a hitch collar insertedinto the hitch collar hole in the support arm and attached to thesupport arm; a collar insertion member inserted into the hitch collar,wherein the collar insertion member is attached to the hitch collar, andwherein the collar insertion member is encircled by the hitch collar andis encircled by the support arm; and wherein the support arm has a firstend and a second end, and wherein the hitch collar hole is locatedproximate the first end of the support arm at a location along thelongitudinal axis of the support arm that does not overlap the primaryswing arm when the primary swing arm is oriented with the longitudinalaxis of the primary swing arm substantially parallel to the longitudinalaxis of the support arm, to provide space between the collar insertionmember and the primary swing arm when the primary swing arm is orientedwith the longitudinal axis of the primary swing arm substantiallyparallel to the longitudinal axis of the support arm.
 34. The apparatusof claim 33, further comprising: a ground support post hinge attached tothe primary swing arm; and a ground support post attached to the groundsupport post hinge.
 35. The apparatus of claim 33, wherein the supportarm has a back side; wherein the hitch collar has a portion thatprotrudes from the back side of the support arm; and wherein the collarinsertion member is attached to the portion of the hitch collar thatprotrudes from the back side of the support arm.
 36. The apparatus ofclaim 35: wherein the support arm has a first set screw hole; andfurther comprising a first set screw attached to the first set screwhole.
 37. An apparatus selectively attachable to a vehicle, fortransporting a cooking device and positioning the cooking device in anorientation for cooking that permits access to the vehicle, theapparatus comprising: a support arm defining a support arm longitudinalaxis, wherein the support arm has a support arm primary angle securinghole; a primary swing arm defining a primary swing arm longitudinalaxis; a primary hinge assembly coupled to the support arm and theprimary swing arm, wherein the primary hinge assembly has a plurality oflocking holes for selective alignment with the support arm anglesecuring hole; a primary angle locking bar inserted into one of theplurality of locking holes in the primary hinge assembly and into theprimary angle securing hole in the support arm, to lock the longitudinalaxis of the primary swing arm at an angle in relation to thelongitudinal axis of the support arm selected from a plurality of anglesdetermined by the locations of the plurality of locking holes in theprimary hinge assembly and by the location of the primary angle securinghole in the support arm; a ground support post attached to the primaryswing arm; a base attached to the ground support post; wherein thesupport arm has a hitch collar hole; a hitch collar inserted into thehitch collar hole in the support arm and attached to the support arm; acollar insertion member inserted into the hitch collar, wherein thecollar insertion member is attached to the hitch collar, and wherein thecollar insertion member is encircled by the hitch collar and isencircled by the support arm; and wherein the support arm has a firstend and a second end, and wherein the hitch collar hole is locatedproximate the first end of the support arm at a location along thelongitudinal axis of the support arm that does not overlap the primaryswing arm when the primary swing arm is oriented with the longitudinalaxis of the primary swing arm substantially parallel to the longitudinalaxis of the support arm, to provide space between the collar insertionmember and the primary swing arm when the primary swing arm is orientedwith the longitudinal axis of the primary swing arm substantiallyparallel to the longitudinal axis of the support arm.
 38. The apparatusof claim 37, further comprising a pedestal having a base, wherein thebase of the pedestal is attached to the primary swing arm.
 39. Theapparatus of claim 38, further comprising a column, wherein the columnis at least partially inserted into the pedestal.
 40. An apparatusselectively attachable to a vehicle, for transporting a cooking deviceand positioning the cooking device in an orientation for cooking thatpermits access to the vehicle, the apparatus comprising: a support armhaving a support arm top and a support arm bottom, and wherein thesupport arm defines a support arm longitudinal axis, and wherein thesupport arm top has a support arm top primary hinge hole and the supportarm bottom has a support arm bottom primary hinge hole aligned with thesupport arm top primary hinge hole; a primary swing arm defining aprimary swing arm longitudinal axis; a primary hinge assemblycomprising: a top hinge plate having a central hole for alignment withthe support arm top primary hinge hole; a bottom hinge plate having acentral hole for alignment with the support arm bottom primary hingehole; and an attachment wall connected to the top hinge plate and thebottom hinge plate, the attachment wall being attached to the primaryswing arm; a primary hinge bar inserted through the central hole in thetop hinge plate in the primary hinge assembly, the support arm topprimary hinge hole, the support arm bottom primary hinge hole, and thecentral hole in the bottom hinge plate of the primary hinge assembly, toattach the primary swing arm to the support arm, and to permit the swingarm to rotate in relation to the support arm; wherein the support armhas a hitch collar hole; a hitch collar inserted into the hitch collarhole in the support arm and attached to the support arm; a collarinsertion member inserted into the hitch collar, wherein the collarinsertion member is attached to the hitch collar, and wherein the collarinsertion member is encircled by the hitch collar and is encircled bythe support arm; and wherein the support arm has a first end and asecond end, and wherein the hitch collar hole is located proximate thefirst end of the support arm at a location along the longitudinal axisof the support arm that does not overlap the primary swing arm when theprimary swing arm is oriented with the longitudinal axis of the primaryswing arm substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the supportarm, to provide space between the collar insertion member and theprimary swing arm when the primary swing arm is oriented with thelongitudinal axis of the primary swing arm substantially parallel to thelongitudinal axis of the support arm.
 41. The apparatus of claim 40,further comprising: a ground support post hinge attached to the primaryswing arm; and a ground support post attached to the ground support posthinge.
 42. An apparatus selectively attachable to a vehicle, fortransporting a cooking device and positioning the cooking device in anorientation for cooking that permits access to the vehicle, theapparatus comprising: a support arm defining a support arm longitudinalaxis; a primary swing arm defining a primary swing arm longitudinalaxis; a primary hinge assembly coupled to the support arm and theprimary swing arm; a pedestal having a base, wherein the base of thepedestal is attached to the primary swing arm; a column, wherein thecolumn is at least partially inserted into the pedestal; wherein thesupport arm has a hitch collar hole; a hitch collar inserted into thehitch collar hole in the support arm and attached to the support arm; acollar insertion member inserted into the hitch collar, wherein thecollar insertion member is attached to the hitch collar, and wherein thecollar insertion member is encircled by the hitch collar and isencircled by the support arm; and wherein the support arm has a firstend and a second end, and wherein the hitch collar hole is locatedproximate the first end of the support arm at a location along thelongitudinal axis of the support arm that does not overlap the primaryswing arm when the primary swing arm is oriented with the longitudinalaxis of the primary swing arm substantially parallel to the longitudinalaxis of the support arm, to provide space between the collar insertionmember and the primary swing arm when the primary swing arm is orientedwith the longitudinal axis of the primary swing arm substantiallyparallel to the longitudinal axis of the support arm.
 43. An apparatusselectively attachable to a vehicle, the apparatus comprising: a supportarm having a support arm longitudinal axis; means for selectivelyattaching the support arm to the vehicle; means for positioning thesupport arm at a desired distance from the vehicle; a primary swing armhaving a primary swing arm longitudinal axis; means for swingablyattaching the primary swing arm to the support arm; means for securingthe primary swing arm with the longitudinal axis of the primary swingarm at an angle selected from a plurality of angles, in relation to thelongitudinal axis of the support arm; wherein the support arm has ahitch collar hole; a hitch collar inserted into the hitch collar hole inthe support arm and attached to the support arm; a collar insertionmember inserted into the hitch collar, wherein the collar insertionmember is attached to the hitch collar, and wherein the collar insertionmember is encircled by the hitch collar and is encircled by the supportarm; and wherein the support arm has a first end and a second end, andwherein the hitch collar hole is located proximate the first end of thesupport arm at a location along the longitudinal axis of the support armthat does not overlap the primary swing arm when the primary swing armis oriented with the longitudinal axis of the primary swing armsubstantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the support arm, toprovide space between the collar insertion member and the primary swingarm when the primary swing arm is oriented with the longitudinal axis ofthe primary swing arm substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis ofthe support arm.
 44. The apparatus of claim 43, wherein the support armhas a back side; wherein the hitch collar has a portion that protrudesfrom the back side of the support arm; and wherein the collar insertionmember is attached to the portion of the hitch collar that protrudesfrom the back side of the support arm.
 45. The apparatus of claim 44,wherein the hitch collar extends beyond the support arm in oppositedirections along the longitudinal axis of the hitch collar hole; andwherein the collar insertion member extends beyond the hitch collar inopposite directions along the longitudinal axis of the hitch collarhole.
 46. The apparatus of claim 45, wherein the hitch collar holedefines a hitch collar hole longitudinal axis, and wherein the hitchcollar hole longitudinal axis is substantially perpendicular to thesupport arm longitudinal axis.
 47. The apparatus of claim 46, whereinthe collar insertion member includes a hitch ball.
 48. An apparatusselectively attachable to a vehicle, for transporting a device and forpositioning the device in an orientation that facilitates access to thevehicle, the apparatus comprising: a support arm defining a support armlongitudinal axis; a primary swing arm defining a primary swing armlongitudinal axis; a primary hinge assembly coupled to the support armand the primary swing arm; the device, wherein the device is coupled tothe primary swing arm; wherein the support arm has a hitch collar hole;a hitch collar inserted into the hitch collar hole in the support armand attached to the support arm; a collar insertion member inserted intothe hitch collar, wherein the collar insertion member is attached to thehitch collar, and wherein the collar insertion member is encircled bythe hitch collar and is encircled by the support arm; and wherein thesupport arm has a first end and a second end, and wherein the hitchcollar hole is located proximate the first end of the support arm at alocation along the longitudinal axis of the support arm that does notoverlap the primary swing arm when the primary swing arm is orientedwith the longitudinal axis of the primary swing arm substantiallyparallel to the longitudinal axis of the support arm, to provide spacebetween the collar insertion member and the primary swing arm when theprimary swing arm is oriented with the longitudinal axis of the primaryswing arm substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the supportarm.
 49. The apparatus of claim 48, wherein the device is a cookingdevice.
 50. The apparatus of claim 48, wherein the device is rotatablycoupled to the primary swing arm.
 51. An apparatus selectivelyattachable to a vehicle, for transporting a cooking device and forpositioning the cooking device in a location that facilitates access tothe vehicle, the apparatus comprising: a support arm defining a supportarm longitudinal axis; a primary swing arm defining a primary swing armlongitudinal axis; a hinge bar shaped and configured to rotatably couplethe primary swing arm with the support arm; the cooking device, whereinthe cooking device is coupled to the primary swing arm; means forsecuring the support arm at a desired distance from the vehicle; whereinthe support arm has a hitch collar hole; a hitch collar inserted intothe hitch collar hole in the support arm and attached to the supportarm; a collar insertion member inserted into the hitch collar, whereinthe collar insertion member is attached to the hitch collar, and whereinthe collar insertion member is encircled by the hitch collar and isencircled by the support arm; and wherein the support arm has a firstend and a second end, and wherein the hitch collar hole is locatedproximate the first end of the support arm at a location along thelongitudinal axis of the support arm that does not overlap the primaryswing arm when the primary swing arm is oriented with the longitudinalaxis of the primary swing arm substantially parallel to the longitudinalaxis of the support arm, to provide space between the collar insertionmember and the primary swing arm when the primary swing arm is orientedwith the longitudinal axis of the primary swing arm substantiallyparallel to the longitudinal axis of the support arm.
 52. The apparatusof claim 51, further comprising a column coupled to the primary swingarm and the cooking device, wherein the column is shaped and configuredto permit rotation of the cooking device in relation to the primaryswing arm.
 53. An apparatus selectively attachable to a vehicle, fortransporting a device and for positioning the device in a location thatfacilitates access to the vehicle, the apparatus comprising: a supportarm defining a support arm longitudinal axis, and wherein the supportarm defines a hitch collar hole; a primary swing arm defining a primaryswing arm longitudinal axis; a hinge bar shaped and configured torotatably couple the primary swing arm to the support arm; the device,wherein the device is coupled to the primary swing arm; means forsecuring the support arm at a desired distance from the vehicle; a hitchcollar inserted into the hitch collar hole in the support arm andattached to the support arm; a collar insertion member inserted into thehitch collar, wherein the collar insertion member is attached to thehitch collar, and wherein the collar insertion member is encircled bythe hitch collar and is encircled by the support arm; and wherein thesupport arm has a first end and a second end, and wherein the hitchcollar hole is located proximate the first end of the support arm at alocation along the longitudinal axis of the support arm that does notoverlap the primary swing arm when the primary swing arm is orientedwith the longitudinal axis of the primary swing arm substantiallyparallel to the longitudinal axis of the support arm, to provide spacebetween the collar insertion member and the primary swing arm when theprimary swing arm is oriented with the longitudinal axis of the primaryswing arm substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the supportarm.